REINCARNATION

when i was a woman
every step
seemed a dance
choreographed
by the gods,  
holy and perfect
in its ordinary way
 
i seemed delicate
but carried
a secret strength,
my power
emanating
from bronze skin
that was soft as  
summer air
and like heaven
to touch
 
then, i only
wondered
what it
might be like
to live as a man --
hard, gallant
behind my armor,
chivalrous,
but steeled
against the onslaught
a mighty warrior,
or at least
pretending to be