Hag as godess

To recognize the beauty of the
crone
and regard the hag as goddess
seems ludicrous
revolutionary at the least,
a wild leaping
from current trends,
so-called sensibilities.
For today, it is youth that is celebrated
the smooth face
a model's slimness
gleaming teeth
and abundant hair-
these are the only ideals
coveted and emulated
- revered.
Age is equated with decline,
undesirable
-more so in the woman...
But,
ancient foremothers
indigenous people everywhere
you
know
the value and wisdom
of the grandmothers
healers and comforters
storytellers and teachers...
nurturers deeply knowing
women much loved,
vital players in life's
perpetual spin-
aged women-
so central in nature's dance
partaking 
of the cycles and rhythms
of birth and blossoming
growth and maturation
ripening
magical women-
 so we must remember
and celebrate-
these matriarchs
yesterdays maidens
now menopausal-
but always, magnificent..