Cathy Xinman is a long-time resident of Canada who writes poems in English and Chinese. Xinman is also a screenwriter who was honoured with a golden statuette at the San Francisco International New Concept Film Festival in 2023, as well as the Remi Bronze Award for Dramatic Film Screenplay at the Houston International Film Festival in 2024. Below, you can read an English-language poem, “Not a Grey Hair in Your Soul”, that she wrote in advance of International Women’s Day on Saturday (March 8).
Not a Grey Hair in Your Soul
Woman, rejoice in your ways,
In the brilliance you radiate,
Embrace the morning sun in your style.
Man, bless as you are accustomed,
Offer flowers in your own manner.
Woman, bask in the sunlight of your smile,
Let the earth’s bounty rise,
Let gratitude ring with applause,
Let the birds lift their wings,
Let the mountains rejoice,
Let the sea be filled with joy,
Let praise echo far and wide.
Humanity, let your hymns call out to women,
Suckle from her milk, embracing peace.
The child who loves its mother
Is so powerful.
How I cherish your protection,
Through it, I find joy in happiness,
Through it, I believe in eternity,
Through it, I delight in the verses of praise.
I draw near again,
Your chest exposed, warm,
As familiar as a heartbeat,
Your arms are kind,
Like an eternal embrace,
Like a breath that is forever intertwined.
I return to your call,
As familiar as tears.
Woman, in your way, you are rewarded,
I assure you,
With a magnifying lens, I see clearly,
There’s not a grey hair in your soul.
Cathy Xinman’s English-language collection is entitled Where You Love Yourself. Find it on Amazon. The Toronto Spark is on Bluesky @torontospark.bsky.social. Follow the Toronto Spark on X @TOSparkOfficial.
