my place

every man wants a strong woman

a do-right,

multi-tasking,

super woman...

he wants the strong backbone

for his household's constitution...

the strong back,

for his late night

pipe-laying
that sweet in the night
restitution..

the strong emotions

to handle his tempermental mood

who can swing back and forth

like an empty swing

in a scenic neighborhood

he wants her,

strong-minded

to tackle tasks

at whiplash speed

and on demand needs

he wants her,

strong like stone tears

working like deliberate gears
longevity like years on years...
wearing many hats

mommy this

baby that

mrs...do it now...

he wants her strong,

like harriet tubman

sojourner truth

angela davis

assata shakur

and sophia before ms. millie...

but wants her,

like a quiet force...

betty shabazz

coretta scott-king...the dream weaver's kween...

celie in the kitchen

shug in the bed

and nikki giovanni in his head...

and STILL wants

buffy the body...

halle the sweetest berry

rich like oprah...

because...well,

God FORBID, he gotta provide...

so he's gotta have a ride or die

who got her own...

he wants her strong enough

to take this dragging by her hair

into his mannish lair,

but, still be modern when he feels like...

chillin...

so, my question is MAN...

when can "I" be weak?

be indecisive,

selfish,

afraid to change...

commit...

submit to love's hit...

why can't "I" be the damsel in distress

and YOU wear the letter on your chest...

why can't "I" be the one to cry,

and complain about the world...

why can't "I" walk away from the kids

and start a new life at a whim...

rebuild my fable

with the next guy and pretend

that it was

all

YOUR

fault...

why can't "I" just lie still

in your arms

feeling wrapped up

and safe?

why?

tell me...

because...truthfully,

all i want

is to be a woman...

not strong,
not independent,
not almighty,

not super...

just a woman...

...for once,
can I have...MY place?