Womanhood

A small town girl who comes from a traditional family

Has entered the gates of womanhood

Being Navajo and valuing tradition I must perform the ceremony of becoming a woman

Running towards to east to prove I am strong to show the holy people “I’m here”

An all night singing to ask for protection as I begin the journey of life

Was it enough?

I must learn to drive a car

Fill out paperwork by myself

Learn to have a voice

Even ordering my food at the drive-thru causes anxiety without a single soul there

nobody, just ME

Just that one day walking across a stage to obtain a piece of paper and shake some hands then it comes

“You may now turn your tassel from left to right”

And that’s it

I realize now that small town girl who performed a ceremony was scared to grow up but remained strong

And here she is ready to take on the world