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      July 14, 2024Prayer After IconoclasmNina Peláez

      after Shahzia Sikander and Esther Strauß

      Blessed are the bones, the scaffold
      that holds, seed set in the depth
      of the mouth, waiting to sprout
      in the slippery dark. Blessed mother
      in labor, sweat on the brow. Look
      how they loved, how they hated her.
      Blessed the navel, blessed the vine
      uncoiling toward freedom, blessing
      her crime. Her horns and her halo.
      Wings held on her back, blessed be
      the jabot worn on her neck. Bless
      be her grit, bless be her glitter,
      bless be the downfall of men
      who have hurt her. Bless her rough
      hands, lungs out of breath, bless her
      milk seeping from each of her breasts.

      from Poets Respond

      Nina Peláez

      “This poem was written after reading two articles from the past week reporting on the destruction of two sculptures: Esther Strauß’ “Crowning,” depicting Mary in the throes of childbirth, and Shahzia Sikander’s ‘Witness,’ an allegorical female figure. Within a week, both sculptures were beheaded. I was disturbed to read about the brutal vandalism of these two images, both of which engage with biblical subjects in ways that seek to reframe traditional narratives about female empowerment, particularly around reproductive justice. This poem offers a benediction to the two violated figures.”

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