I 
                   am a woman of the future. 
                   I 
                   know more than just 
                   cleaning, cooking 
                   making--raising babies. 
                   I 
                   have a purpose, 
                   a reason for being. 
                   I 
                   have a strong back 
                   and 
                   a strong mind. Know how to 
                   use them, too. 
                   I 
                   am a river 
                   that runs deep; 
                   emotionally 
                   and intellectually. 
                   My love 
                   runs deep, 
                   but not easily given 
                   to just anyone. 
                   I 
                   am soft. 
                   I cry tears 
                   of pain, joy, 
                   and sorrow. 
                   Hold me gentle 
                   into the night. 
                   I 
                   still 
                   need love. 

c. mari © 1989 

Girl Talk 

                   He said...  

                                      She said...  

                   Then what...  

                                     You know she's a...  

                   You know you are wrong!  

                                      But he did say...  

                   No he didn't!  

                                     Well she's just a...  

                   I know.  

                                     Always wearing that...  

                   Girl, talk that talk!  

                                    And sister said that ...  

                   I know you should.  

                                     But he says...  

                   Girl forget his ass...  

                                      But I...  

                   Girl, hush. 

c. marie © 1987 

PHENOMENAL WOMAN 
 

                   Pretty women wonder where 
                   my secret lies. 
                   I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion 
                   model's size 
                   But when I start to tell them, 
                   They think I'm telling lies. 
                   I say, 
                   It's in the reach of my arms 
                   The span of my hips, 
                   The stride of my step, 
                   The curl of my lips. 
                   I'm a woman 
                   Phenomenally. 
                   Phenomenal woman, 
                   That's me. 

                   I walk into a room 
                   Just as cool as you please, 
                   And to a man, 
                   The fellows stand or 
                   Fall down on their knees. 
                   Then they swarm around me, 
                   A hive of honey bees. 
                   I say, 
                   It's the fire in my eyes, 
                   And the flash of my teeth, 
                   The swing in my waist, 
                   And the joy in my feet. 
                   I'm a woman 
                   Phenomenally. 
                   Phenomenal woman, 
                   That's me. 

                   Men themselves have wondered 
                   What they see in me. 
                   They try so much 
                   But they can't touch 
                   My inner mystery. 
                   When I try to show them 
                   They say they still can't see. 
                   I say, 
                   It's the arch of my back, 
                   The sun of my smile, 
                   The ride of my breasts, 
                   The grace of my style. 
                   I'm a woman 
                   Phenomenally. 
                   Phenomenal woman, 
                   That's me. 

                   Now you understand 
                   Just why my head's not bowed. 
                   I don't shout or jump about 
                   Or have to talk real loud. 
                   When you see me passing 
                   It ought to make you proud. 
                   I say, 
                   It's in the click of my heels, 
                   The bend of my hair, 
                   the palm of my hand, 
                   The need of my care. 
                   'Cause I'm a woman 
                   Phenomenally. 
                   Phenomenal woman, 
                   That's me. 

Maya Angelou

"My Friend" #2 

          You have been my true friend 
          and a friend from day one, 
          never knew anyone who smiled so much 
          just having good clean, and honest fun 

         And though I now cannot see you, 
         as before, each and every day, 
         know that it is for you and your family 
         that on bending knee I now pray 

         For in these times so hard 
         you've shown me our God is good, 
         and He has looked into my heart 
         and has lovingly understood, 
         that I wish for His blessings 
         to fall upon you, 
         and this is something I know 
         our God on high will do 

         So, I write you these few lines 
         for to me, you've been more than kind, 
         and I just wanted to let you know 
         that your friendship I still honor, 
         and I will never let it go 

         Thinking of you, 
         Your Friend 

emchamp ©Copyright 1992-98

From "Teach Me" 

i want you 
to teach me 
i'm ready to learn 

i want you to teach me 
the warmth of your breath 
the weight of your body 
i want to experience the trembles . . . heat 
sweatfireiceconvulsionsgaspsthrusts 
spasmscaressescreamsuntil . . . 
           i 
                  can 
                              barely 
                                               breathe 
educate me with your 
mouth tongue shoulders arms fingers 
chest hips thighs legs feet toes 

i want you  
to teach me 
i'm ready 
to learn 

class begins 
                           right 
                                            now 
 
 

Michelle Renee' Pichon 
 

I don't miss the arguements  
I don't miss the blame  
I don't miss the heartache  
I don't miss the pain 

I don't miss the yelling 
I don't miss the fights  
I don't miss the agression 
Oh how I don't miss those nights 

I don't miss the judgement, 
The unessessary times of  
Jealously, sorrow 
Crying and lies 

The resentment, abuse 
Need i go on 
I don't miss the bad things 
The things that went wrong 

I do miss your smile 
I do miss your kiss  
I do miss your hugs 
I do miss your lips 

I do miss your touch 
I do miss your care 
I do miss your comfort 
I miss you being there 

I do miss your eyes, your nose 
And your face 
Your hands, your back 
And your gentle embrace. 

K.Doherty