Dancing at Planned Parenthood

"We were claiming the sacredness of the space and the decisions that women and families make," says Katey Zeh of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, the group that co-produced the first blessing ceremony with Planned Parenthood Metro-Washington. For more info about the clinic blessing, see Color Lines article by Miriam Perez. 

Below, see the poem I  wrote for the clinic blessing at Planned Parenthood:

I Dance (Guidance) -- (c) 2017
Show me the dance steps
my body used to know.

I lost my own rhythm
Drowned out by the clamor of over-righteous judgment,
Sounds of stigma and shame,
Feelings of loneliness, despair and hopelessness.

The strength of your laughter and tears,
  your prayers and uncompromising love
  let me know I am in a safe place
to learn and grow, heal and dance.

Some dancesteps are made more difficult
When I forget the rhythm of my own body.
   Show me.
Teach me how to dance with joy again.

Come to me, in me
Enrapture and empower me
   in rhythms of love.

Guide me back to my dance
Touch me in firm gentleness.

As I dance with you I remember my dance
Yes, my dance is grace-filled.

“Go girl, you are awesome,” ancestors cheer.
“You never dance alone, we are with you.”
They cheer again, “Proud of you, sweetie.”

As I reclaim my dance
I am proud of me.
Together, we cheer
And dance.

When I dance with you
I soar to the mountaintop – ah, Freedom.
And swim in the oceandeep – oh, Wholeness.

My dancesteps reveal
Sacred mysteries known by
   trees bursting forth from rocks
   and the joy of the sun kissing the moon.

As I dance my dance
     I experience Divine Wisdom and Light
    Peace in the storm
Life in death
     Joy in sorrow
 Hope in despair.

I dance in dignity and courage
Honoring my instinct, my own voice
Singing my songs
   of lamentation and liberation,
Telling my own stories
   of breakdowns and breakthroughs

I dance in my authentic awesomeness,
   in Power, in Spirit, in God.