Athena // Summer Kramer


She speaks and a tempest rages through the room.
She destroys every obstacle in her path.
Her eyes are infernos, incinerating you from the inside out.
Smoke seems to rise from her shoulders.

Equivalence
Tani Russell // mixed media

She is fire.
She is destruction.
She is wild.
She is purification.

Doors close, but she barges past them.
Material things mortals create cannot stop a goddess.
Her shoulders squared, a grin on her cherry red lips.
She’s been told they’re her best quality; she prefers her wit.

It’s been said this is a man’s world; she disagrees.
They say that a woman’s place is on her knees.
She cuts them off at their own knees, flashes a smile over her shoulder.
As the last man falls to the ground: “Yes, I know I look pretty today.”

She is a warrior. A general. A battlefield name whispered by the wind.
Unstoppable. Indomitable. Fierce. Fierce. Fierce.
Flawless. Her armor shines brighter than her jewels. Flawless.
Her jaw is set like concrete. Flawless. Her sword is stronger than her mascara.

Eyeliner only serves to make her eyes more intense.
Her co-workers say it’s “false advertising” and “only to hide her insecurities.”
A knowing smile graces her lips: “My insecurities are nonexistent.” Jaws drop.
“I am not advertising. I am not a product, nor am I trying to sell myself to the likes of you.”

Heels click on a linoleum floor.
Steel boots sludge through mud and blood on the battlefield.
Men screech to be heard over her, but do not succeed.
Battle cries drowned out by her own.

She walks with the innate grace of a thousand hummingbirds.
Her voice, sweet as a jawbreaker and just as hard.
She is fire. She is steel. She is woman.
All bow before her. Amen.





Author:

Summer Kramer is a student at Morningside College.





Artist:

Tani Russell is a junior year double major in Religious Studies and Studio Art. She explores photography, photographic alternative processes, and encaustic and other sculpture mediums.




Voice Actor:




Katelyn Stewart is a junior here at Morningside College who is studying Music Education and Vocal Performance. She is involved in theatre, CNAFME, SNATS, APO, lyric opera, and much more. She is originally from the town of Crofton, Nebraska. Here at Morningside, she has participated in eight shows as well as numerous concerts. She is excited to be involved in recording poems for Kiosk