TO BE WOMAN
More than any other time, I am spilling into my womynness. Walking down the street today, catching the sun in the locks of my hair—gentle breezes caressing my center to travel down my back and the inside of my thighs. I am so alive and wide, growing into my womynness.
The man at the corner winked at me; I smiled back. I am no longer afraid. Time has taught me to appreciate my gifts—subtle curves, tender waist, full lips and warm skin. This is not conceit. This womyness is hard fought—hard won.
To be woman is to be whole and layered. I am remarkably woman—carefully made.
I see, all the time, little girls who mistakenly believe that because their bodies talk, womyness is bestowed. Womyness is not given, it is earned. I’ve waited so long for this-- fought through harsh realizations and sat with unpleasant considerations—walked through the loss of a marriage and a parent, upset of family and friends—two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the road less traveled by.
Zora Neale Hurston wrote that for women, the dream is truth. Truth is inconsiderate and often uncomfortable. Zora died alone and unknown. Everyday I walk forward with blisters on the bottom of my feet. But if I should die today, I wish to die like Zora, fully actualized—fully woman.
So my womynness, I will handle with care. Singing songs of pain and of joy, for I am not alone.
The man at the corner winked at me; I smiled back. I am no longer afraid. Time has taught me to appreciate my gifts—subtle curves, tender waist, full lips and warm skin. This is not conceit. This womyness is hard fought—hard won.
To be woman is to be whole and layered. I am remarkably woman—carefully made.
I see, all the time, little girls who mistakenly believe that because their bodies talk, womyness is bestowed. Womyness is not given, it is earned. I’ve waited so long for this-- fought through harsh realizations and sat with unpleasant considerations—walked through the loss of a marriage and a parent, upset of family and friends—two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the road less traveled by.
Zora Neale Hurston wrote that for women, the dream is truth. Truth is inconsiderate and often uncomfortable. Zora died alone and unknown. Everyday I walk forward with blisters on the bottom of my feet. But if I should die today, I wish to die like Zora, fully actualized—fully woman.
So my womynness, I will handle with care. Singing songs of pain and of joy, for I am not alone.
Comments
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.
Maya Angelou
Greetings from London.
You possess a magnetic aura that will never leave you lonely. May your companion bless you with the attention that you so rightfully deserve. Don't settle... Explore! And allow life's blessings to invade your world... You deserve it!
Peace Love,
but they never reveal the intrinsic
the copious qualitires of thought
wish i could see a womans thoughts on the surface
as i do
those subtle curves
of course, that was one of my favorite poems as a young girl. to think that i finally know the wonders that maya spoke of. it's a beautiful thing.
@miz
i see too that u have struggled to come into your womynness--i am not alone. thanks for the well wishes. yes, i'm spreading my wings--walking this road lightly.
tony oh,
oh...you make my heart sing. thank you--I will keep your words in mind always. when i make my trip out there to atl--i def coming to see you.
@raw dawg
wow--i originally wrote a line in this blog referencing the mind/thought but i just didn't fit. but i see that u understand without the written word. however, i do believe that "thought" is written on subtle curves--gotta look at the way a woman carries those curves.
and a woman ye'll be.
yer bearing, like the star
creates the path fer thee.
so carry my dear,
the woman ye are;
with grace, love and care,
in humble dignity.
lovely, lovely! thanks for the poem--i shall wear it on me sleeve
You were the first to introduce me to the curvature of the Woman, to guide me one step along my transition from girl to an open field of curved blossoms and for that I am eternally grateful for the way things come around, fully, perfectly circled.
Kudos!
thanks. hey girl, where u been? surely up to no good. lol. i'm gonna stop ur way
thanks. i appreciate ur comment.
I soooo loved this. Ditto Eb.
thanks, sweetie.