Tough Enough

Life is messy, life gets hard

sometimes you don’t want to press on.

How will you ever make it

when you don’t feel strong?

Here are a few words

of encouragement for you

because you do have what it takes

to help you make it through.

Because she’s a part of you –

tough enough to raise her children all alone.

She’s a part of you –

tough enough to leave and set out on her own.

She’s a part of you –

tough enough to give birth while rain flooded the Green.

She’s a part of you –

tough enough to start her family at seventeen.

So you see – you will succeed.

Look behind you –

They are walking with you.

Reach inside you –

they are a part of you.

Heartache will come your way

but you will make it through the day –

because you’re already tough enough.

Shining Star

I know who you are

at least, what is shown.

You are the shining star

who let her stand alone.

You do not know me,

though you think you do.

You know what you can see –

Want to see what I think of you?

You took the role of teacher

you felt it needed to be done.

But we don’t need a preacher

looking after everyone.

It appears your roots cause shame

by your condescending nod

toward your family name.

You distance yourself from the odd.

When you look in the mirror

surely, you can see traces of her.

But when she reached to be nearer

you extended a lecture.

I realize this is just you

and you’re not at all bad.

There are just some things you do

that make me a little sad.