I'm Still Here

artwork: "Pure" -C'babi Bayoc

despite any attempts to stop me
to strip me
to hurt me
to demean me
I’m still here.

despite the obvious disdain for my existence
and overall disrespect for my life
irregardless of the constant and continuous put downs
the regulated and ridiculous ridicule
the demeaning and debasing disdain
I’m still here.

I cried
I screamed
I yelled
I threw things.

I calmed down
I accepted
I prayed and
I let go.
I overcame
I excelled.

‘he’ said I wouldn’t make it
‘she’ said I couldn’t do it
‘they’ said I wouldn’t succeed
‘they’ said many negative things
had me thinking that I had no purpose
had me believing that I was worthless
and ‘they’ didn’t even know me.

‘they’ saw the physical
but did not take into account
the mental resolve
the spiritual determination
‘they’ should NEVER count me out!

‘they’ see me now
‘they’ currently have NOTHING to say
‘cause
I’m still here.

by the grace of God
I’m still here.

copyright ©2006 Tonya C
(Thursday August 31, 2006 - 11:14pm (EDT))

I Am

(artwork: "Essence of Ebony" - Frank Morrison)

does my demeanor upset you?

does my confidence disrupt your logical world?
you cannot define my true beauty –
or it’s origins.

you just can’t put your finger on my attraction...........
it’s not just one thing…..
drawn in by a charm you can’t characterize.

I am not petite............
I am not quiet and meek ...............
I have no need or desire to be coy.
I neither seek definition from others, .............
nor do I expect anyone to read my mind.
I’m quite capable of articulating my needs.
I speak my thoughts
and invite you to speak yours.

you cannot explain..........
what you experience from my presence............
the wonder,
the allure,
the fascination
the POW-A!
not to worry…..
I promise to always use my powers for good!

I am precious because I am a creation..............
of the Highest order of Intelligence -
who does not make mistakes.
I know that with God, the world is my playground...............
without God, I will just be played with.

I have the strength to maintain a full time job, and be a lifetime Mother;

I have the intelligence to converse with the highest scholars, and give them food for thought;

I have the resilience of the ages, for I have withstood being ignored, passed over and just plain not seen and still I stand tall;

I have the love of the ages to share with the one man who can appreciate me, even though my heart has been broken - more than once;

I have the faith of Job - because I know that one day, God will open the eyes of the man who will appreciate, honor and respect me

for who
I am -

A Good Woman.

© Copyright 2006 TonyaC
(Wednesday September 6, 2006)