Dear Friends, Family, and Fans,
Day 16: For my sister's...ain't she a woman:this poem evolved from one I shared in 2019, written upon request, asking that I write and present an inspirational poem for the members of a professional Black woman’s organization that I am a member of. Or should I say, of which I am a member :) I wrote the poem. I liked the references to the voices/mantras/messages from my/our past that filled so many of us with a powerful sense of self and collective, pride and purpose. Although, I saw promising elements in the poem, I never felt the poem was complete. So if I shared it, I always combined it with another poem. But just recently I was asked to write a poem dedicated to an honoree. The earlier version of this poem appeared on my computer, and seemed ready for an evolution. I will admit I asked God to guide the process. I am thankful for my answered prayer. I hope you feel the love, power and possibility packed into the lines, beyond the rhymes, of this poem. I have to say, it is so much improved. The power in the process!!
Love and realness,
#DrLindamichellebaron
For My Sisters__Ain’t She a Woman? Dedicated to Sojourner Truth by Dr. Lindamichelle Baron Copyright 2024
For my sisters, who grew up in families who reminded us to:
wear clean underwear,
make sure we combed our hair,
and told us we didn’t have to show up everywhere…
“Let them miss you sometime.”
Yes, taught to make sure we oiled our knees,
Always say “thank you” and “Please.”
Ask God to bless whoever sneezed.
And goodness knows,
“Keep those legs closed and your ankles posed.
Head up, shoulders back, stand up straight…”
Just wait, let there be no doubt when you show up you show out.
That’s right, know how to dress to impress,
And always do better than your best…
Make sure “Whatever you do…even if you sweep the floor,
be the best floor sweeper there is, or ever was…”
And do it like a lady does. And ain’t that a woman!
I’m talking about my sisters
Who are strengthened by the Armor of God
All of us together, not just some,
who grew up knowing “we would overcome,”
even when we didn’t or don’t know how,
We knew and know there “ain’t no stopping us now,”
We step into the beauty of being Black
And we accept the power that won’t allow us to be kept back….
I’m speaking life and love into my sisters.
I pray that we take care of our health,
As we multiply our wealth.
I pray our ancestors surround us,
As we celebrate those who found us.
I thank God for the shoulders upon which we stand,
As we devote ourselves to the business at hand
The business of being women, who walk and work with wisdom and wonder,
In the business of being women who find sunshine through rain and thunder,
I pray for our vision beyond each dark, foreboding cloud.
I pray for us, in the business of making a people proud.
I pray for us to be in alignment with our God given assignment
Ain’t she a woman!!
Hope you enjoyed Day 16. Would you like me to light a spark at your school, college, house-of-worship, conference or organization? If your answer is yes, please click on this link to book me:
https://www.mylindamichellebaron.com/book-dr-lindamichelle.html
Love and realness,
#DrLindamichellebaron
#PoetLaureateForTheTownOfHempsteadNewYork
www.mylindamichellebaron.com
Day 16: For my sister's...ain't she a woman:this poem evolved from one I shared in 2019, written upon request, asking that I write and present an inspirational poem for the members of a professional Black woman’s organization that I am a member of. Or should I say, of which I am a member :) I wrote the poem. I liked the references to the voices/mantras/messages from my/our past that filled so many of us with a powerful sense of self and collective, pride and purpose. Although, I saw promising elements in the poem, I never felt the poem was complete. So if I shared it, I always combined it with another poem. But just recently I was asked to write a poem dedicated to an honoree. The earlier version of this poem appeared on my computer, and seemed ready for an evolution. I will admit I asked God to guide the process. I am thankful for my answered prayer. I hope you feel the love, power and possibility packed into the lines, beyond the rhymes, of this poem. I have to say, it is so much improved. The power in the process!!
Love and realness,
#DrLindamichellebaron
For My Sisters__Ain’t She a Woman? Dedicated to Sojourner Truth by Dr. Lindamichelle Baron Copyright 2024
For my sisters, who grew up in families who reminded us to:
wear clean underwear,
make sure we combed our hair,
and told us we didn’t have to show up everywhere…
“Let them miss you sometime.”
Yes, taught to make sure we oiled our knees,
Always say “thank you” and “Please.”
Ask God to bless whoever sneezed.
And goodness knows,
“Keep those legs closed and your ankles posed.
Head up, shoulders back, stand up straight…”
Just wait, let there be no doubt when you show up you show out.
That’s right, know how to dress to impress,
And always do better than your best…
Make sure “Whatever you do…even if you sweep the floor,
be the best floor sweeper there is, or ever was…”
And do it like a lady does. And ain’t that a woman!
I’m talking about my sisters
Who are strengthened by the Armor of God
All of us together, not just some,
who grew up knowing “we would overcome,”
even when we didn’t or don’t know how,
We knew and know there “ain’t no stopping us now,”
We step into the beauty of being Black
And we accept the power that won’t allow us to be kept back….
I’m speaking life and love into my sisters.
I pray that we take care of our health,
As we multiply our wealth.
I pray our ancestors surround us,
As we celebrate those who found us.
I thank God for the shoulders upon which we stand,
As we devote ourselves to the business at hand
The business of being women, who walk and work with wisdom and wonder,
In the business of being women who find sunshine through rain and thunder,
I pray for our vision beyond each dark, foreboding cloud.
I pray for us, in the business of making a people proud.
I pray for us to be in alignment with our God given assignment
Ain’t she a woman!!
Hope you enjoyed Day 16. Would you like me to light a spark at your school, college, house-of-worship, conference or organization? If your answer is yes, please click on this link to book me:
https://www.mylindamichellebaron.com/book-dr-lindamichelle.html
Love and realness,
#DrLindamichellebaron
#PoetLaureateForTheTownOfHempsteadNewYork
www.mylindamichellebaron.com
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