the woman I am

one of the first poems I wrote, one of the handful I brought with me to the cafe, dusted it off and brought it back cause of something I just read

I won't be buried in choices, chained by vanity.

No fainting, feigning, fawning female here.

You'll have to look beyond my un-styled hair

And the face that isn't made up.

This is me.

I am bare feet, books and blue skies.

I am blue jeans, boots and my warm, wool sweater.

I am able and willing to learn things for myself.

I will build on the strengths of the women who came before.

I will feed armies, and carry babies, and kill spiders--

When I need to.

And I will teach my daughters to be strong.

Reviews

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'the woman I am'
Emily B,
Refreshing to simply be, to just live, breathe, feel, work...because it is necessary.
There is a time and a place for every season of one's life.
Live and learn...who do we need to please? Hard lesson I would rather not take.
The last three lines worked for me;
"I will feed armies, and carry babies, and kill spiders..
When I need to.
And I will teach my daughters to be strong."
Hard work and consistency are in building ourselves, our children and sometimes others.
Bless you,
Kathy

[Emily B]

I had forgotten this one. I miss that young poet. Her voice had so much light in it.

[Valentine]

Woman Power...I like that..cute but sensible write from a female point of view..lol and God bless..Valentine

[TL Boehm]

anthemic. A real poem for real people. there are so many posers and wannabes out there...this poem just speaks in truth and eloquence. Awesome.

[Jonhoi Vaughn]

I somehow always manage to see the Minerva in your writings. A very naked poem. I love this piece.

[deeps]

This is wonderful, Teaching strength is wonderful
I see the strength as wisdom as well.
This is brillant and wonderful.

[Gandré]

Teaching is by accepting them how they are, by simple loving - and your daughters learn by watching parents. I know you do this. You let them experience a lot and they make their choices.

[An Ordinary Woman]

I remember it well. It was early on, after "discovering" you. I loved it then and still do. It's shines and reflects the totally cool woman that is you. :)

[Constance-Outspoken]

Few men ever realize we are stronger than they, in many ways. Muscles don't mean strength at all.
This is a beautiful piece, true and heartwarming. May we all teach our daughters to be strong.

[Solst Rapture]

This is sentimental, but very, very endearing. It almost feels as if we do catch a glimpse of the you in the words, and it's a charming you indeed.

[Narnie]

A big high five to you on that Emily. I admire you greatly. Your daughters will take so much from all that you give them, show them.

[TamiViolet]

And so is the strength in a woman... I'm the same way, Emily, and have attempted to instill strong will and confidence in my daugher as well, for it is so important that our girls...and boys, for that matter, grow up to be survivors and comfortable in their own skin...

I smile as I read about the bare feet.....books....blue jeans....and warm, wool sweaters although I must admit to breaking the same toe THREE times!!!

And I already know that you don't kill spiders UNLESS you need to...lol. Me either :-)

Wonderfully and excitingly strong piece!