I first encountered Eve Ensler,
Well her work,
In my first week at university
A student production of
The Vagina Monologues.
It made me anxious.

Then whilst in London
I discovered V-Day and
Was inspired by the red-lipped dancing women
Joyous and proud

I read In The Body of the World
While walking the Camino
It was B.C., Before Cancer, but
I was still moved by Eve Ensler’s powerful, visceral writing

A year later
I was diagnosed with cancer

Now, A.C.
I found myself sitting in a theatre
With Eve Ensler herself
Speaking her words aloud
Telling her heart-breaking, gut wrenching, soul shaking story
In an extraordinary one woman show

Parts of it made me gasp
Parts of it made me nod in feverish agreement
Some parts I didn’t relate to at all
(I never wanted to be a mother
I have always loved trees
I loved being bald)

But Eve is captivating
She is who I want to be
Powerful, passionate
Emotive, articulate
A true artist connecting the dots
Between the personal and the professional
The self and the world.

The ending,
A total surprise
So beautiful and breathtaking

Eve invited us in
To walk in the garden of Ensler, and
I never wanted to leave.