a time of ash and ochre

Before parts of speech and written word
communication was a series
of grunts and groans

many things are assumed
but how much is really known
about those cavemen

those long dead, but left-vibrant-markings
on cave walls, men
chasing prey over cliffs
no swords, no guns
but banging sticks, throwing stones
upright walking, now

Man wonders about the stars,
has a woman waiting
in a place he doesn’t know
to call home, yet

a cave, somewhat a nest
couple of juveniles running around-
they adorn cave walls and skin
with chunks of ash and ochre

man brings home meat and fire,
woman realizes she can grow things,
she controls her crops
by understanding seasons

She is agriculture and speech,
history and patience
She is artist, mother
lover, farmer, sister

She is worthy, she is woman.