It’s curious - does being a woman come from inside or out
My body changes, but I no longer look down at my feet when I walk
My thoughts are changing too -
Quick sticks, polish the flowers, sweep the floor
There is no rush to get to the ball
I think she is a woman, although trapped inside a story as a child
I look to the strong (grown) woman who sings
As I begin to find my (sober) voice -
I like that I am learning, that I do not need potions or cake to shrink - or grow
And so I will run bare foot along the shore
Rise up from the roiling waves
Burn as strong as a pile of cinders
The world is opening up, I think
There are possibilities - windows and doors
I say to myself - ‘I don’t want to be no man’s woman
I’ve other work to get done’.
“I don’t want to be no man’s woman…I’ve other work I’ve got to get done..”
Sinead O’Conner
Smiles. I love the Sinead quote. And LOVE the running barefoot along the shore, and burning as strong as a pile of cinders. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis is quite a thought-provoking poem, Jae. I've always regarded myself as a human being first, then successively as a child, teenager, mature man and an elderly person. The elderly person is best placed to have enough wisdom to answer the questions your poem poses; and any wise elderly person can realise that within them is a female element and a male element, hopefully well-balanced as a yin and yang...
ReplyDeleteWow, Jae! "does being a woman come from inside or out"? Grown, sober, and outside of the fairy tale that keeps all of us children, we are what we are: strong and rising up. I love this poem!
ReplyDeleteFrom being trapped inside a story to rising up from the roiling waves and finding a voice is quite journey! "There is no rush to get to the ball" is such a peaceful feeling. Beautiful, Jae.
ReplyDeleteI love the words you quoted from Sinead O'Connor's poem. So much to ponder...whether being a woman comes from the inside or out. Sometimes I know there is a conflict..but there are "possibilities" as you said for "rising up." Powerful thoughts.
ReplyDeleteNow I am pondering your words of "whether being a woman comes from the inside or out. Very powerful poem, Jae!
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