Shieldmaiden

I consider you

brothers in arms

and I don’t care 

if you let your eyes 

rest upon the curves

under my armor

as long as you let me

ride with you 

into battle.

I am proud 

not of my womanhood

which is adequate 

but of my skill 

with a sword

and with words 

or anything edged 

that can cut 

that’s my gift 

by the grace of the gods.

Any woman can yield

and be soft

that is no kind of fortune

I will make you 

meet my eyes

with a knife if that is 

what it takes

to get your attention 

off of the shape of me.