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Woman

Last month's poem of the month writer, John Mather, has chosen this month's poem. John says,"It is a poem that is expertly crafted in rhythm and rhyme about the near perfect woman, I say near perfect because I believe there's no such thing as the perfect woman. As I read it and re-read it aloud, I couldn't help wondering if this remarkable poem was autobiographical? If so, the author must be as near perfect as damn it. Joking apart, I think the poem is indeed well worthy of being Poem of the Month." Find out more about Morag Reid and her work at http://www.writeoutloud.net/poets/moragreid Woman Catch my starlight as it sparkles. In the darkness of your sky, All your boyhood dreams still shimmer In the glimmer of my eye. For I am woman, born all knowing, You may try to chain my thoughts Still I’ll sing my way to freedom, Could be tamed but won’t be caught. With my breath I stir the sunlight, Blow the cobwebs from your day In my soul I carry secrets, All the things you dare not say. So may taint me, saint, paint me, Sculpt my shape in silicone Still my spirit will elude you; I am woman to the bone. Woman growing, woman stretching, Through the shiny skin of girl Woman laughing, woman dreaming, Breathing fire into your world. Yes I am woman, feel me glowing, I am soft and cut like glass Through my blood new life is flowing, Through my veins all futures pass. So let your fingers trace the contours Of my wild, forbidden lines I give life and I move mountains, All the universe is mine.

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Comments

<Deleted User> (5763)

Mon 9th Feb 2009 13:53

Hello Morag, I love your poem; it speaks to me about positivity, strength and creativity. I think there is too much negativity in so- called academic circles surrounding the relationship between men and women. 'All the universe is mine' is a beautiful line and a beautiful thought.

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Anthony Emmerson

Sun 18th Jan 2009 18:05

Hi Morag.
I'm so glad I took the trouble to go through the POTM's to find this gem. There is so much to admire about this celebration of womanhood. You illustrate very succinctly what, for men, is the attraction of the female of the species, and why we so often fail to see or understand it! An excellent and beautiful poem.
Regards,
A.E.

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Alison Mary Dunn

Sat 29th Mar 2008 13:55

Morag, even the physical shape of your poem screams 'woman' which only enhances further your ability as a poet to project what you want to say. Your ode expresses great depth of character and made me smile inside. Thanks for sharing. Ally

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Robert Black

Sun 27th Jan 2008 10:02

Morag, I'm new to this site (joined this morning!) so was looking through some old poems of the month. This is such a powerful poem, anthemic almost and chock full of some great couplets. Men underestimate women at their peril!

<Deleted User> (3847)

Thu 29th Nov 2007 21:18

Hi
Sorry for the delay -forgot my password. Thank you so much for your kind words. Sadly the poem isn't about me, or at least only in the sense that I am a woman. It's not intended to be about a perfect woman either, but is in response to seeing so many wonderful women getting a bit bogged down in the dull routine of life - kids, dishes, etc. So I wrote it in a deliberately grand celebratory style.
And yes, one of my classic typing errors, it should be taint me, saint me, paint me, and then it scans ; )
Best wishes
Morag

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Julian (Admin)

Sun 4th Nov 2007 16:21

A fabulous poem, Morag. Some great lines in it, my favourites being:
Woman growing, woman stretching,
Through the shiny skin of girl

the woman growing through the girl is such a fantastic image

and

Through my blood new life is flowing,
Through my veins all futures pass.

the role of women in continuing the species is write small but understand large, in these two lines.

Though one line does not scan, for me:
So may taint me, saint, paint me,

I feel there is a syllable missing. But perhaps I am wrong?

Thank you for such a fabulous poem.

Julian

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