Planting the Seeds

The women I know have helped to create me today

I think of them often, even though some have gone away

First is my mother, beautiful and strong

She knows what she wants and she has believed in herself all along

She taught me to be confident and she taught me to be free

When I’m sad she explains: The only person who gets to control how I feel is me

Next is my sister, unapologetic and self-assured

She has the biggest heart and she’s always telling facts others have never heard

She taught me how to be kinder and to open up to others

I know that even when we fight, we would do anything for each other

Then we have my mother’s mother, strong-willed and brave

I visit her and we talk forever, these are memories I will always save

She taught me to stand up for myself and to enjoy my life

She’s always reminding me that there is no rush to become a wife

After her is my father’s mother, dedicated and caring

She would tell me stories of the past and I loved to listen to her sharing

She taught me to be resilient and to have hope for the things I wanted to see

I wish that I could be with her now, enjoying a cup of tea

Finally, we have my best friend, nurturing and thoughtful

She supports me through everything and without her I would be so doubtful

She taught me to embrace happiness and accept love in order to thrive

She is the kind of person who makes me feel lucky to be alive

This poem is a thank you to the women who helped shape me

They have taught me that I get to decide who I want to be

I know they will be with me when I bloom like a flower

The women I know are all strong and have found their power

I have learned that there is no one way to embrace womanhood

We all have our differences and we can do things we never thought we could

The women I know, some have lived then and some are living today

They have planted the seeds for me, they did it their way

I have to take what they have given me and use it to improve

Being a woman means sometimes you win and sometimes you lose

The women I know have struggled and they fought to flourish

They were only given one role, they were there to nourish

They didn’t lose sight of who they really are

They never let me think that being a woman means you won’t get very far

They taught me to be a leader and to share my love

They persevered and kept going, even if men were always a step above

The women I know have taught me and paved the way

I only hope that I can do the same for others someday