"Breaking the Hymen"

 By Mary Weems

Her image on my friend's wall,

flower perched in her hair like Lady Day

takes me back to a star-dark night,

oval revolving stage, West African queen

illuminated by lights that kiss her feet

like man in love

My head's stuck in an upturn, breathing

a rote response, all energy directed

to ears riding on melodious wave.

In between songs she talks of life

and love as if she believes,

takes each of us up, a plateau

of voice inspired by blues, jazz, soul

strong as an elder's hands

I've always wished I could sing like Hyman,

open, easy, free, sound of lyrics

born in a body, composer God,

teacher the universe

There's a lesson here, woman who took

my breath away, magnificence

all of us could see

A gift she could not imagine.

Several days later she ended

a life I would have sworn was just beginning

to take shape

like a virgin who chooses

escape before a man

breaks her hymen.

        (Phyllis Hyman, Singer, (1949-1995 / Committed Suicide, 6-30-95)