St. Lucy By Elizabeth Anne Schwartz

Lucia of Syracuse,

patron saint of writers —

known for fiercely guarding her virginity,

but isn’t that another way of saying

self-preservation

and autonomy from men?

Patron saint of the blind —

the men who killed her tore out her eyes, 

and she holds them in every painting 

like a badge of honor,

like she hasn’t yet been bested. 

Look what they’ve tried to take from us,

she seems to say,

poised and unfazed,

instructing me: 

write them into a corner.