Sister Outsider

We were born in a poor time
never touching
each other’s hunger
never 
sharing our crusts
in fear 
the bread became enemy.

Now we raise our children 
to respect themselves 
as well as each other. 

Now you have made loneliness
holy and useful 
and no longer needed 
now 
your light shines very brightly 
but I want you 
to know 
your darkness also 
rich 
and beyond fear.

Audre Lorde (1984)