Strong Woman

This is the last poem of the Sister Series, the series of celebrating individual women and sharing their beauty through poetry. After I started writing poems, I felt a draw to write a collective poem for the women in my life. This poem is Strong Woman–for even though I may not know you, this poem was also written about you.

I drew some women that are especially prominent in this season of my life, while there are also many others not pictured. I hope that you enjoyed this series, and felt closer to the women that are within your life. Send them a note, a string of text, or a physical embrace.

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Strong Woman

by Regan Smith

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I admire how she boldly 
explores the mysteries, 
extending herself into the unknown 
taking on an endeavor to learn, 
forever a student. 

I see how she takes the circumstances 
of stone and spins them to gold; 
this treasure of wisdom and truth
is not held with clenched hands–oh 
how she shares her wealth of wisdom with joy. 
I know, because I’ve been on the receiving 
end of her great generosity. 

With these same unclenched hands, 
she pulls handfuls of hope directly from the heavens–
her intentionality surpassing this realm.

Not a day goes by where her 
presence is not felt; for her impact is
breathed in and out, and recycled again– 
giving strength and life to brittle lungs; 
caring for even the trees, she’s always
morphing and shaping to meet the needs of 
of others, of herself. 

She is the night bird, singing praises 
of the day’s promise, even when it’s still dark, 
sharing words of joy through her tongue, her pen, her song. 

For she knows, that to be meek and gentle 
is to be strong and courageous.

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