if there is a river <br />more beautiful than this <br />bright as the blood <br />red edge of the moon if <br />there is a river <br />more faithful than this <br />returning each month <br />to the same delta if there <br /> <br />is a river <br />braver than this <br />coming and coming in a surge <br />of passion, of pain if there is <br /> <br />a river <br />more ancient than this <br />daughter of eve <br />mother of cain and of abel if there is in <br /> <br />the universe such a river if <br />there is some where water <br />more powerful than this wild <br />water <br /> <br />pray that it flows also <br />through animals <br />beautiful and faithful and ancient <br />and female and brave<br /><br />Lucille Clifton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/poem-in-praise-of-menstruation/
