Women Are Not Roses

Women have no
beginning
only continual
flows.

Though rivers flow
women are not
rivers.

Women are not
roses
they are not oceans
or stars.
I would like to tell
her this but
I think she
already knows.

Ana Castillo is a celebrated Chicana poet, essayist, editor, activist, novelist, and translator. Born and raised in Chicago, Castillo credits the rich storytelling tradition of her Mexican heritage as the foundation for her writing.