By Ayomide Aruwajoye.
While working at the Women’s Center, I can truly say that I have grown. One of the big lessons that I learned is that we as women are very strong. I wrote this poem around the time of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. This poem describes a woman that has been through so much in life but still remains strong and optimistic. This is the kind of woman that I want to be when I grow up. I have heard stories from friends, family, and even strangers about different things they go through: domestic violence, sexual harassment, relationship dominancy, even the traditional “women are supposed to act a certain way” attitudes. We hear so many stories about the bad things that women go through like unfair payment issues or teen pregnancy to name just a couple. But we never take enough time to reward these women for moving forward, for standing up for what they believe in, or even for remaining STRONG through all the turmoil and tribulations. Every woman should realize how strong she is and praise herself for being so. No man, not even the government, has a say in what a woman’s worth is. I commend all the survivors of any sort of discrimination, embarrassments, or sexual assault because that’s the example we should set for other women and young teenage girls: that you are to be treated equally – fairly and with respect – Standing up for what’s right and Staying strong because better days will come.
The Strength of “Her”
It’s the strength of her that shows why her presence is demanding like the rush of cold wind on a snowy day.
It’s the strength of her, that’s why her smile refuses to fade away
What is it about a woman, the way we hurt but solemnly stay?
Wishing that tomorrow could be so much of a better day!
Is it the way her Hips sway that tells the Pain she’s on her way?
Because it seems like instead of walking away, she’s running at a faster pace
The yearn to be loved, but the confusion above, mind all over the place, so hard to crack this Love case
The strength of her is overwhelming, overbearing and overrated
Who designed us to be this strong, to go through all the emotions of a love song?
It’s the strength of her that lets you think I’m okay
She nods her head up and down, like accepting a check on pay day
In my mind…. No in HER mind, she’s screaming for just one escape
One superhero with a red, long cape
I know he sees her tears, the ones that fall from fear
I know he feels her, she knows too
They sit there with nothing to say, nothing to do
The only similarity is their strengths showcase
He’s is the physical aspect
But her emotional aspect has lifted the weights
Showed its face, fought the same old race, and still had time to reminisce on the day
It’s the strength of her that lets her ignore foolish ways
Yes, she’s aware of your continuous lacking words every day
It’s the strength of her that she can say…
That the strength of her makes her Okay
It’s the strength of her that shows why her presence is demanding like the rush of cold wind on a snowy day.
It’s the strength of her, that’s why her smile refuses to fade away
What is it about a woman, the way we hurt but solemnly stay?
Wishing that tomorrow could be so much of a better day!