A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to …
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour..
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
a youth she’s content to leave behind…
a past juicy enough that she’s looking forward to
re-telling it in her old age…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
one friend who always makes her laugh
and one who lets her cry…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
a good piece of furniture not previously owned
by anyone else in her family
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal.
that will make her guests feel honored…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
a feeling of control over her destiny…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without
ruining the friendship…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW
when to try harder..
and WHEN TO WALK AWAY…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that she can’t change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that her childhood may not have been perfect… but it’s over…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
what she would or wouldn’t do for love or more…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to live alone… even if she doesn’t like it…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
whom she can trust,
whom she can’t,
and why she shouldn’t take it personally…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
where to go…
be it to her best friend’s kitchen table…
or a charming Inn in the woods…
when her soul needs soothing…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
why she can and can’t accomplish in a day…
a month or a year.
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to …
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour..
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
a youth she’s content to leave behind…
a past juicy enough that she’s looking forward to
re-telling it in her old age…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
one friend who always makes her laugh
and one who lets her cry…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
a good piece of furniture not previously owned
by anyone else in her family
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal.
that will make her guests feel honored…
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
a feeling of control over her destiny…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without
ruining the friendship…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW
when to try harder..
and WHEN TO WALK AWAY…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that she can’t change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that her childhood may not have been perfect… but it’s over…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
what she would or wouldn’t do for love or more…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to live alone… even if she doesn’t like it…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
whom she can trust,
whom she can’t,
and why she shouldn’t take it personally…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
where to go…
be it to her best friend’s kitchen table…
or a charming Inn in the woods…
when her soul needs soothing…
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
why she can and can’t accomplish in a day…
a month or a year.
~Maya Angelou was thought to have written this poem, but it was actually written by Pamela Redmond Satran~
14 comments:
I think I'll print this one and keep it close by. Sounds like words to live by to me.
Whether by Maya or by Pamela, that is a wonderful poem, Sue. I printed it out and pasted it into my diary. Those are wisdoms to meditate on, one for each new day.
I also adore the old lady with the colorful clothing and her cigar. How to become as nonchalant as that in one's old age?
A MAN SHOULD KNOW...
women are smarter than he is...
Please tell me that colorful lady has a huge cinnamon stick and not a cigar.
hey you didn't ask permission to post my picture!
That colorful lady is definitely smoking a cigar, vin de vine, not a huge cinnamon stick.
Or maybe a special joint of marihuana?
rockync...too bad that we acquire some of this wisdom so late in life, right?
Olivia..maybe, she has followed some of the advice here...if not, it doesn't seem to be bothering her too much!
vin de vine...too bad that some men wait until late in life to acquire THAT bit of wisdom! Btw...I'd love to know what was in the post you deleted! :)
Livey...we've all seen your picture, and you definitely don't look like this! :)
Olivia..if she's smoking a joint that looks like that, she doesn't care, one way or the other!
Hi Jan, I love this poem. My favorite part is the second to last phrase; where a woman should be able to go when she needs her soul soothed.
Sorry Jan, I didn't mean to remain anonymous. I just posted the previous post about the second to last phrase.
I took a closer look at the photo and sadly there is a carton of cigars and a box of matches and a pair of scissors next to her. I guess it was wishful thinking.
As far as the earlier deletion, I have been suffering from spastic finger spazscheitis of late, fortunately I write my comments in notepad before posting them because I am famous for writing a short essay comment only to have it disappear when I attempt to post it.
Lydia..that's okay...can't tell you how many times I've done the same thing!
Yes, I like that part, too...we can all use a little soul soothing every now and then, and it's especially nice to have someplace to do that when needed.
Vin..no problem.
I guess your condition can be pretty aggravating..is it caused by playing guitar a lot?
LoL, nope it is caused by old age Jan.
Vin...welcome to the club! LOL
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