womanhood

Who You Are Within – You Don’t Have to Try

~ whisperingsbyjkl ~ Leave a comment

Every so often you hear a song that really speaks to you (not because of the beat, but because of the message).  Try by Colbie Caillat is a beautiful and inspiring song about self-image.  It reminded me of a poem I wrote a while back called Who You Are Within.

Who You are Within

In the mirror, she stares
hoping that someone would care
how beautiful she looked
because of the amount of time it took.

She smiles and tosses her hair,
wondering what to wear.
She puts on an expensive dress
and shoes that cost no less.

She begins her mission
of putting on lipstick with precision.
Mascara, powder, cream
and jewelry that gleams.
She has it all,
standing gorgeous and tall.

Looking like a star,
she has accomplished her dream.
But appearance may not be
what it seems.
What she really lacks
is self-esteem.

Wipe off that lipstick!
Take off that powdery mess!
If you want success
that’s not the way to go.
All you need to show
is who you are within.

 

 

XX

~ whisperingsbyjkl ~ Leave a comment

Gnawing, grinding
stretching, chewing
me inside out.
I thrash
from side to side,
twisting and turning,
I catch my breath,
only to claw
at my nightmare
with eyes wide open,
ready to rip
my intestines,
my ovaries,
to be free
of the pain
as I sink
into my pillow,
and close my eyes
to pray,
but I find
myself
laughing
in frustration
wishing
I could turn back time
and be a boy instead,
trade my extra X
for a Y.

The turmoils
of womanhood –
yearly heartbreaks
and monthly cramps.
Hiding tears
behind laughter,
we always hope
for better days,
better nights,
so we wouldn’t
be sitting here
listening
to the clock,
writing this poem
at 3 am.