The Women In My Life

I am Elizabeth,
Sister of Roselyn,
Daughter of Christine,
Granddaughter of Mary and Winona,
Niece of Patty, Maureen, Denise and Lisa,

We are the women who tend the farm, pray each day, feed families, vote
women who raise children, keep accounts, teach others, save lives
women who are strong for the ones who cannot be

We marry, divorce, bear children or don't
misstep misspeak, carry our regrets
hold jobs, go to school, have opinions and faults
We fight for our beliefs, challenge our fears

when we cry, we sob,
when we laugh, we roar
when we talk we are loud and bold
we make mistakes and move on

we love with ease and freedom
encompass friends and strangers
give selflessly with generosity warmth and insight
aspire to equal with those who came before

we defend each other, and confront each other
help each to become the woman she is meant to be
we bear each other up and know one another's stories
bound together by more than blood

I am Elizabeth
Daughter of Christine
Daughter of Mary
Daughter of Sophia
Daughter of Francis
Daughter of Krystyna ...



                        Elizabeth McClelland




© 2007 Christine Bazzett