Eve

'companion to Adam"

All day desire stalked along the shadows,

obdurate and teasingly persistent --

adamant to my only want, that longing

to not succumb to the one impure thought.

Are you not of him, what purpose …

Try as I might, no matter where I turned,

this doubt hissed and harried inside my head,

shall you service? Daughter, wife, auxiliary …

Of him? Yes. Though clearly, not exactly alike.

Mother, shepherdess of life …

Yes, absolutely unlike -- if not better,

then at least equal and crucial, worthy of

free will, emancipation …

Yes! That’s it! Whatever else, that’s what I want.

Something I can call my own, cherish like

This apple … this apple, God forbid. 

Ken e Bujold