**Before She Knew She Had Wings**

She was told to do things accurately.
to think of others before herself
to give to family and friends, foremost
to comply, surrender and above all, be obedient
to look the other way, accept, don’t go against the grain
she was told to be silent again and again
before she had wings
she was taught boys were always valid
girls were timid and weak
she was taught to suppress desires,wants and needs 
and not to speak of dreams
she was taught power was something to fear - but not to have
she was taught to use her body not her brain
before she had wings
she couldn't imagine she would climb any obstacle
or her thoughts were substantial
that she would rise above poverty
refuse abuse and say No
she couldn't imagine she would be desired or needed 
or know just how far she would go
she couldn't imagine her wings were just tucked, 
absent from sight
before she knew she had wings
she wouldn't realize this disguise 
until mid-life
she took flight, feather-light, gliding high
soared beyond gender indoctrination
she sailed past everyone’s expectations
she un-earthed her majestic conception 
unveiled her wings 
her spirit serenely flies.
© 1997 Schar CBear

"~I've learned -
that you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is
be someone who can be loved.
The rest is up to them.

I've learned -
that no matter how much I care,
some people just don't care back.

I've learned -
that it takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.

I've learned -
that it's not what you have in your life
but who you have in your life that counts.

I've learned -
that you can get by on charm
for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you'd better know something.

I've learned -
that you shouldn't compare
yourself to the best others can do
but to the best you can do.

I've learned -
that it's not what happens to people
that's important. It's what they do about it.

I've learned -
that you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.

I've learned -
that no matter how thin you slice it,
there are always two sides.

I've learned -
that it's taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.

I've learned -
that it's a lot easier
to react than it is to think.

I've learned -
that you should always leave
loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned -
that you can keep going
long after you think you can't.

I've learned -
that we are responsible for what we do,
no matter how we feel.

I've learned -
Never argue with an idiot.
They drag you down to their level
then beat you with experience...

I've learned -
We're never too old to learn...