Poems

The Making of a Queen

Look at her.

Only eight years old.

So brave and resilient.

Not sunken by her condition.

She is my child,

But her strength, strengthens me.

She is from my womb,

And yet her outlook empowers me.

She is my midday and midnight thoughts.

But she is not daunted by her impending surgery.

The temple of my love so innocent, curious and compassionate.

She is my child, braver and more resilient than I can ever remember being.

She is grace, hope, strength and love,

The making of a Queen.

The woman I choose to reflect on today …

Bringing to bear the mountains of her body.

– Naketa S. West aka Phoenix

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Without women

Without women …

The world would be dull because a woman’s smile illuminates.

The earth would be dry

Because women replenish it

With the fruits of their womb

And water it with the tears from their eyes.

There would be so much hurt in the world

Because women soothe and caress

Life would be so boring

Because they energise it with their passion and gleeful laughter.

What would the world be without women?

I paused and feasted my eyes in awe.

Her grace and elegance are admirable.

But her strength is what is truly undeniable.

She speaks with great wisdom,

Her faults I searched for but could not find none.

She protects ...... ‘no harm shall come to my family’.

She prays..... ‘God please protect my family’

She loves … ‘I love you in spite of …’

She sacrifices … I’d rather go hungry so you have food’

She is a boss … ‘Let’s focus and get it done’

What would the world be without women?

No scale, no test can measure the worth of a woman.

She is invaluable,

She is precious

A man’s worth is often defined by the amount of gold he owns

But his true worth should be defined

By how he treats what is worth more than gold … a woman.

A wretched man abuses and disrespects her,

But a gentleman, a righteous man always remembers

She is a Queen and treats her as such.

What would the world be without women?

Empty!

– Rashaun Watson

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A woman conquers crisis

He used to bang her head against the wall,

He used to pull her hair and slap her face,

Kick her in the ribs, grab her arm

And wipe her across the floor.

Let him do it now, the brute!

She now has an affair with Crisis Centre,

And, Kung Fu with only a fearless look,

If, necessary, give him a left hook.

She at last has learnt to lead him

Like a bull with a ring in his nose.

When he rants and raves,

She is now amused,

Sweetly says to him, “Darling, cool down,

You may get heart failure, don’t get me wrong!”

But she means, “Stop your braying, old ass!

If you touch me, I’ll shout rape!”

She used to cry, pray to God

And he used to laugh;

Now he know that she is serious,

He goes with her to counselling

And pays her tuition at evening class,

Because she plans to be independent.

Just in case, of him.

Now he can’t manage her,

He threatens divorce;

“Go get it !” she said, “but Tell dat ooman you have on di side,

Pack her suitcase an’ get out o’ town!

For w’en a done wit’ you an’ her,

You won’t have anyt’ing to give!

You have to pay di wages you owe me

To look after y’u children all dese years,

An’ I will keep di house!

If you talk too strong, I’ll shout murder!

Go see the Commissioner of Police

An’ importune di judge in court!

So let us live in love and harmony,

Don’t make the sun descend on vexation,

Come to bed with your hands quite clean.

Said she to her boss at the workplace

“Sir, beware! You’re getting hot.

Sir, go take a cold shower!”

What she really means is unprintable.

To be independent she’ll even clean floors,

No man may treat her like a slut.

She’ll take a bull by the horns,

And twist and bite his tail.

– Oren O. Cousins

He used to bang her head against the wall,

He used to pull her hair and slap her face,

Kick her in the ribs, grab her arm

And wipe her across the floor.

Let him do it now, the brute!

She now has an affair with Crisis Centre,

And, Kung Fu with only a fearless look,

If, necessary, give him a left hook.

She at last has learnt to lead him

Like a bull with a ring in his nose.

When he rants and raves,

She is now amused,

Sweetly says to him, “Darling, cool down,

You may get heart failure, don’t get me wrong!”

But she means, “Stop your braying, old ass!

If you touch me, I’ll shout rape!”

She used to cry, pray to God

And he used to laugh;

Now he know that she is serious,

He goes with her to counselling

And pays her tuition at evening class,

Because she plans to be independent.

Just in case, of him.

Now he can’t manage her,

He threatens divorce;

“Go get it !” she said, “but tell dat ooman you have on di side,

Pack her suitcase an’ get out o’ town!

For w’en a done wit’ you an’ her,

You won’t have anyt’ing to give!

You have to pay di wages you owe me

To look after y’u children all dese years,

An’ I will keep di house!

If you talk too strong, I’ll shout murder!

Go see the Commissioner of Police

An’ importune di judge in court!

So let us live in love and harmony,

Don’t make the sun descend on vexation,

Come to bed with your hands quite clean.

Said she to her boss at the workplace

“Sir, beware! You’re getting hot.

Sir, go take a cold shower!”

What she really means is unprintable.

To be independent she’ll even clean floors,

No man may treat her like a slut.

She’ll take a bull by the horns,

And twist and bite his tail.

Oren O. Cousins