My revolution begins in the body It isn’t waiting anymore My revolution does not need approval or permission It happens because it has to happen in each neighborhood, village, city or town at gatherings of tribes, fellow students, women at the market, on the bus It may be gradual and soft It may be spontaneous and loud It may be happening already It may be found in your closet, your drawers, your gut, your legs, your multiplying cells in the naked mouth of taut nipples and overflowing breasts My revolution is swelling from the insatiable drumming between my legs My revolution is willing to die for this My revolution is ready to live big My revolution is overthrowing the state Of mind called patriarchy My revolution will not be choreographed although it begins with a few familiar steps. My revolution is not violent but it does not shy away from the dangerous edges where fierce displays of resistance tumble into something newMy revolution is in this body In these hips atrophied by misogyny In this jaw wired mute by hunger and atrocity My revolution is Connection not consumption Passion not profit Orgasm not ownership My revolution is of the earth and will come from her For her, because of her It understands that every time we frack or drill Or burn or violate the layers of her sacredness we violate the soul of our future My revolution is not ashamed to press my body down On her mud floor in front Banyan, Cypress, Pine, Kalyaan, Oak, Chestnut, Mulberry Redwood, Sycamore trees To bow shamelessly to shocking yellow birds and rose blue setting skies, heart exploding purple bouganvillea and aqua sea My revolution gladly kisses the feet of mothers and nurses and servers and cleaners and nannies And healers and all who are life and give life My revolution is on its knees On my knees to every holy thing And to those who carry empire-made burdens in and on their heads and backs and hearts My revolution demands abandon Expects the original Relies on trouble makers, anarchists, poets, shamans, seers, sexual explorers Tricksters, mystic travelers, tightrope walkers and those who go too far and feel too much, My revolution shows up unexpectedly Its not naïve but believes in miracles Cannot be categorized targeted branded Or even located Offers prophecy not prescription Is determined by mystery and ecstatic joy Requires listening Is not centralized though we all know where we’re going It happens in stages and all at once It happens where you live and everywhere It understands that divisions are diversions It requires sitting still and staring deep into my eyes Go ahead Love.
- Eve Ensler
