frightened, insecure, she cowers
under his outstretched hand
woman . . .
his words have the power
to chill, to hurt, take away personhood
MAN!
tears . . . unbidden . . . come again
humiliation and fear cause distress
woman . . .
AND YET
is he really such a man?
is she really a rag doll?
if his only strength is in his ability
to defeat her spirit
does that make him a
MAN! ?
NO - NO - NO!
gather your courage, my sister
deep inside you is a well of strength. . .
reach for it
no longer allow his words to make you small
draw on my strength if you need to . . .
just know this
you are
WOMAN!
when he can no longer defeat you
gone is his MAN!-hood
virility aside and suddenly not so tall
YOUR strength increasing your inner sight
so you can finally see . . . he is simply a
man
copyright Barbara E. Waters
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