Revisiting Ladylike for International Women's Day (Patreon)
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In 2016, I wrote a poem titled "Ladylike" to premiere at a film festival in Toronto. It's still one of my favorite pieces I've ever written. I wrote it to explore the feminine side that lies in us all, femme-identifying or not. I wanted to revisit this piece today for International Women's Day. I hope you enjoy this reminder of the divine feminine in you & me. I love you!
The first time I felt feminine was in dance class
My mom tied my hair up in pretty bows
I wore leotards as clothes
And spent hours learning how to point my toes
The first time I felt patient was in gymnastics
Where I stretched my body like an elastic
Falling repeatedly on a mat made up of plastic
Because all it really took was practice
The first time I felt unique was in middle school
The boys in my grade teased me for the color of my hair
And at the time, I really did seem to care
But soon after, I realized I was just rare
I was just me
From my head down to my feet
I felt like a sight to see
That was the first time confidence was instilled in me...
Now this was a feeling I had yet to feel
And it was oh so real
Confidence...
It makes you feel powerful beyond belief
That is, until it is ripped out from underneath your feet
By a society telling you
That you must compete
Now I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again
Comparison, to me, is a sin
Because it is the death of self-love within
Yes, I know we live in a world filled with beautiful girls
But YOU are one of those pearls
And just as valuable as pearls are to the sea
THAT is what you are to me
Vulnerable at times, yet strong as can be
She can be bold, or as soft as a peach
Brilliant, yet whimsical when need be
Filled with love, she is the meaning of caregiver to a T
You feel safe in her arms, comfort equals she
Women are a portal for life, and that is a sight to see
A Mother’s love can be compared to none
A drive to provide that shines brighter than the sun
Inherently selfless, a woman cares for not just one…
But all…
A woman will pick you up when you fall
Be waiting by the phone when you call
Care so much that it drives you up the wall
Wow...
It’s really cool to be a woman after all
You see,
I feel rooted in Mother Earth like a tree
As powerful as the Goddess of the Sea
A woman is just so captivating yet free
But don’t you dare try and tame her
Because where there’s peace, there can be anger
And that is the beauty of the danger
The danger of a woman is something to beat
Try to conquer her, and you will accept nothing but defeat
Because you will soon be bowing at her feet
Surrender
To the divine feminine inside
Femininity is something you cannot hide
Because she has always been right there by your side
Harmony is what keeps Mother Nature alive
Wholeness, my friend, will make you thrive
So with that, I also bow to my masculine side