I am no longer afraid of mirrors where I see the sign of the amazon, the one who shoots arrows.

There was a fine red line across my chest where a knife entered, but now a branch winds about the scar and travels from arm to heart.

Green leaves cover the branch, grapes hang there and a bird appears.

What grows in me now is vital and does not cause me harm. I think the bird is singing.

I have relinquished some of the scars.

I have designed my chest with the care given to an illuminated manuscript.

I am no longer ashamed to make love. Love is a battle I can win.

I have the body of a warrior who does not kill or wound.

On the book of my body, I have permanently inscribed a tree.

Poster of Deena Metzger as the Warrior.

Credit: Photograph © Hella Hamid; Text from TREE by Deena Metzger; Poster distributed by Donnelly/Colt (860) 455-9621; Donnelly/Colt Progressive Resources, P.O. Box 188, Hampton, CT 06247, (860) 455-9621, fax (800) 553-0006, e-mail: orders@donnellycolt.com, Poster $19 postpaid to U.S. or Canada.