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CONVERSATION by Salyna Gracie

How well do we really know each other?

My world has been rocked. You know the feeling. Like a seasick sailor praying for land, I am washed away from the life I thought I knew just a few short weeks ago.

As a spiritual woman, in times of distress I reach for my heart, for loving kindness, for compassion, for God. But these days bring an uncertainty for the earth and humanity that presses in on my faith.

As a Jew, a Muslim and a bisexual woman of dubious Gypsy ancestry I am on Code Red Alert. My bones carry the memories of my people. They made sure to teach us as children to “never forget”. We. Have. Not. Forgotten.

This poem is an unlikely prayer, but, pray with me dear sisters….for a true conversation. Indeed a miracle we all need.

Conversation
by Salyna Gracie 

Until you look into the depth of my eyes
Do you think you know me?

You think you know me
By the way I walk down the sidewalk
By the length of my skirt
And the curl of my hair

You think you know me
By the shape of my nose
And the shade of my skin

You think you know me
By the charm at my neck
And the silk on my brow

My dear friend, until you hear the catch in my throat
As I speak of love
Or feel the heat of my hand in yours
You don’t know me

Until you glimpse the hidden scars 
I carry only on the inside
Or witness the ecstasy of my dance
You don’t know me

Until you meet me in true conversation
You won’t ever know my beauty
And I will never know yours

Photography by Yuko Ishii 



Salyna Gracie is the executive director of Confluence Gallery and Art Center, a non-profit art gallery in rural Washington State, and a multi-media artist with a focus in dance, poetry and mixed-media visual art. Committed to the healing power of art, Salyna continues to explore new mediums as a deepening spiritual practice, and a window into her soul. You may contact her through her website here and her artwork here









~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~ 

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