Women’s Liberation

O Dionysos Lyaios, Gynaimanēs, Eleutherios,
bearer of burdens, breaker of chains, bestower
of rage, you who dance beyond the laws of men,
hear this prayer! You who love wild women,
and are honored by the free-roaming Mainades
upon the mountains, grant strength to all women
who seek their voice, their dignity, their rightful place
beneath the Sun. Teach the world to unlearn its cruelties,
its ignorance and prejudices, to loosen its grip on unjust power,
to remember that no soul was born to be inferior. When society
would silence women, inspire them to speak their truths,
O loud-roaring One, regardless of the penalties imposed.
Banish fear, and pour out courage like your ever-flowing wine,
God of liberation. In lands where there is oppression,
grant them the strength and cunning to resist and bring down
those corrupt regimes, causing fathers, husbands, and sons
to stand with their women against the unjust authorities.
O Dionysos Nēpenthēs, be with those who struggle,
lift up those who are cast down, and kindle in every heart
the fire of justice, dissolver of bonds, shatterer of walls,
you who cause us to thirst for righteousness and equity.
May freedom grow like ivy — persistent, unstoppable,
and strangling all who would impede its progress.
Let every voice rise in your ecstatic cry, “Io evohe!”
And may they know its true meaning, dear Dionysos.

2 thoughts on “Women’s Liberation

  1. Io evohe! Hail Dionysus! May you also bless masculine women for they are like your grey-eyed elder sister Athena who lifted your still thundering heart from the ashes and delivered it into the hands of your Father Zeus!

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  2. Io evohe! May he bless us masculine women as well, for they are of your grey-eyed elder sister Athena, who lifted up your thundering heart from the Ashes and delivered it into the hands of your Father Zeus!

    Liked by 2 people

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