Real.Life.Woman.Write: Stop Domestic Violence!

Hey Lady,

I struggled to write this because it forced me to be honest about the fact that sometimes I'm not superwoman. Sometimes I AM vulnerable. And at some point, I did allow myself to be on the ground, looking up, wondering when the punches were going to stop and when would I start to recognize myself again... But I imagine to some degree, every woman has begged this question of herself at some point about some situation-- and that is why I am now bold enough to put it on paper and share it. So... I hope it inspires somebody to DO SOMETHING besides stay where they are today because of yesterday's feelings. For me, that wasn't good enough. And I hope that for even ONE woman who reads this, it's not good enough for her, either. Be blessed!


 

Last lifetime, I was in love… It was the kind of love that filled my heart with more joy than there are stars in the sky. This was the kind of love that even your dreams can’t contain—because it stretches too wide and dives too deep. He was a king. And it wasn’t just me that loved him… See, he loved me back—even made me his queen. And the love we made was so divine. There were few before him. But when he first touched me, he laid to rest every hand that had preceded his. When he entered me, my cup ran over and out poured every imaginable emotion until all of me submitted to all of him.

Last lifetime, I belonged to him and he belonged to me. Our souls were one and no breath could be had unless it was in tune with the other. We were strong and mighty and unstoppable… until we just weren’t. Something happened… I don’t remember what. But together, in love, we were laid to rest.

I’ve met him this lifetime. And though our lives were resurrected, I’m no longer his queen. He is king of another empire, and now I am his slave. We are very much in love, but only I belong to him. Our love is contained in dreams; because that’s the only place we can be seen. I only imagine his kind touch, though he may stand within plain sight. I hear his gentle words and must decide if they are of this lifetime or memories from the last. As I pick myself up off the floor, bloodied, battered, and bruised… I realize this isn’t love. I’m a queen. And there aren’t enough stars from last lifetime to keep me captive here another night. Last lifetime he was my king. But this lifetime, he ain’t shit.

 

Love Is by Nikki Giovanni

Some people forget that love is
tucking you in and kissing you
"Good night"
no matter how young or old you are

Some people don't remember that
love is
listening and laughing and asking
questions
no matter what your age

Few recognize that love is
commitment, responsibility
no fun at all
unless

Love is
You and me

a song in the front yard

I've stayed in the front yard all my life.

I want a peek at the back

Where it's rough and untended and hugry weed grows.

A girl gets sick of a rose.

I want to go in the back yard now

And maybe down the alley,

To where the charity children play.

I want a good time today.

They do some wonderful things.

They have some wonderful fun.

My mother sneers, but i say it's fine

How they don't have to go in at quarter to nine.

My mother, she tells me that Johnnie Mae

Will grow up to be a bad woman.

That George'll be taken to Jail soon or late

(On account of last winter he sold our back gate).

But I say it's fine. Honest, I do.

And I'd like to be a bad woman, too,

And wear the brave stockings of night-black lace

And strut down the streets with paint on my face.



- Gwendolyn Brooks

Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks (June 7, 1917 – December 3, 2000)

Gwendolyn Brooks - American Poet

(June 7, 1917 – December 3, 2000) 



Girls In My Circle...

 I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,

And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, "Let's cry together," another, "Let's fight together,"
Another, "Let's walk away together."

One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled
back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself.
Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman,
But for many, it's wrapped up in several...
One from 7th grade,
One from high school, several from the college years,
A couple from old jobs, on some days your mother,
On some days your neighbor,
On others, your sisters, and on some days, your daughters.
So whether they've been your friend for 20 minutes or 20 years,
God has placed you in your life to make a difference.

                                                                           - Author Unknown

A Woman's Poem

He didn't like the casserole

And he didn't like my cake.

He said my biscuits were too hard...

Not like his mother used to make.

I didn't perk the coffee right

He didn't like the stew,

I didn't mend his socks

The way his mother used to do.

I pondered for an answer

I was looking for a clue.

Then I turned around and smacked the shit out of him...

Like his mother used to do.

- Unknown

Maya Angelou's Best Poem Ever!

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough
money within her control to move out
and rent a place of  her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something
perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams
wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD
HAVE .
a youth she's content to leave behind....

 

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a past juicy
enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her
old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
one friend who
always makes her laugh.. and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a good piece
of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her
family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
a feeling of
control over her destiny..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD
KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit
a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend
without;
ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN
SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK
AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her
childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she
would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....
how to live alone...
even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a
charming Inn in the woods....
when her soul needs
soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

Phenomenal Woman - Maya Angelou

As women we sometimes forget our own strength. To all of you, today I dedicate Maya Angelou's poem Phenomenal Woman, because that is what you are, Phenomenal!

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.