This is a poem I felt inspired to write after many life events in the past few months: participating in the Women’s March in Austin, practicing at my club, giving lessons to my fencers, watching the current political circus unfold, and learning that Ibtihaj Mohammad–our New Jersey born Olympic Bronze Medalist–was retained for two hours by Customs simply because she wears an outward symbol of her Muslim faith.
The Fencer
Steel mesh
Cool cotton
A fire burns inside.
She steps to the line.
Confident.
Ready.
The referee’s words
Like the bullet of a starting gun.
En garde.
Prêtes?
Allez!
She leaves the safety of the resting place
Sure-footed and
Poised.
Pressing the attack,
She misses.
Once.
And again.
Now time to defend.
Defend her Rights.
Defend her Country.
Defend her Family.
Defend her Beliefs.
Her opponent charges forward
Dares her to challenge.
Blades slashing,
The feint is met with a confident take.
She attacks again
Softly.
So softly it seems like a
Kiss
Upon her opponent’s lamé.
She removes her mask,
The final touch scored.
The difficult battle won.
Victorious.
Humbly shaking the hand of the vanquished,
Saluting the referee,
She vows to
Fight
Another Day.
