i stood with you through centuries i will not leave you now

She said to her lover 

i know outside feels

like every ink

the universe

used to paint

your skin

is a mistake

but 

these thick thighs

and these full lips

still know you

she said to her lover

i know they have

tried to break

the man

away from you

calling you

everything

but human

i am your whole

i stood with you

through centuries

i will not leave you now

bring your bloody knuckles

i will wash them

yet heat the furnace

for us to fight again

i will guard you

on days

when you know

your manhood

needs to feel its

softness

she said

these legs

will carry you home

will feed you

and 

i will sing you songs of

freedom

[Ijeoma Umebinyuo, 'Your Women', from Questions for Ada]