The Following are pieces that were created in workshops that I have conducted for the Women's Resources Center at Borough of Manhattan Community College, Hunter College's Liberty Partnership Program and The Minisink Spirit Camp. The creators of these pieces are acknowledged by first initial and last name or by first name only. Enjoy the read!
Women’s Resource Center Poetry
Flowering of the heart
Flowering of the heart
Written by:
I’ve been afraid of getting hurt; having issues of trust I
had this wall up
I need to open up my heart to allow love from my family, friends
and most importantly God to enter my life so I can be content.
I am going to acknowledge my behavior and consider the
feelings of others and not be selfish
But I won’t sell myself short; I will improve and uplift
myself
I am going to let fear come out of my body and mind and take
the risks that life offers me to feel happiness in my heart
I am open to making mistakes in order to learn and grow
Everyone is not going to like or love me but that’s okay as
long as I like and love myself
I am confident that I can achieve my goals even when they
might seem impossible
It is good to have something to believe in
I believe in me and I have a positive mindset
I will listen to that voice within
I will live my life
I have figured out where I’m supposed to be
I am happy and content with who I am in life
I open up my heart
I open up my heart
We open up our hearts
Unlocking the door
Written by: T. Flores, R. Brooks, R.L. Niles, D. Derilas, L. Bonfante, M. Stewart, N. Monzon, O. C. Osorio, and G. Pineda. Compiled by AMMAE June 2011
The naysayers said, "I know you better than you know yourself" They also said, "You don't have the luxury to dream that big"
I say I am beautiful, patient, wise and warm. Through the grace of God I can conquer any challenge
I saw her, she looked like me, she gave me a handful of freedom, solitude and femininity. With a closed mouth she whispered in my mind the remedy of unwanted noise; silence, quietness
I began to love every inch of her, the gloss and the cracks, too...Fiercely, even her imperfections, I loved
She is joyful; she looks at peace, for she knows she has finally reached her dream
You are the secret ingredient to your success, she says
When you let yourself go and have courage to enter through the door and come across me, in me and in you, it opens that door to endless possibilities
Why are you afraid of failing?
The world is yours if you own it and your possibilities will always be endless.
Your key is continuous love and my gift to you is a kiss
My endless possibility is to be happy and love and appreciate myself for exactly what and who I am
What will get me there is my belief
my spirit, my strong brave heart
I have the key to unlock each door and each answer will be revealed in the time of need
You can if you really want it!
Inspiration can lead to accomplishment
Inspiration can lead to accomplishment
You can if you really want it!
Poised for Flight
Written By: Dey, Stacy-Ann, Christine, Bertha, Victoria, Vernell, and Ricci
Compiled by AMMAE June 2010
It saddens me that many of my sisters do not possess the mental strength necessary to maintain a healthy well mental being
I realized that I need to be more positive about the things I do. I can be who I want to be. I will always have to fight to get to the end of the race but it will be worth it, that’s why I will fight.
I believe that unexpected experiences in life transpire changes in one
Allow yourself the ability of being who you are and gaining the love and respect that one has been searching for
Life is short; don’t doubt yourself when others do
I have met a slew of wonderful women and have made some wonderful friends. I have enjoyed spending time with these intelligent women who have inspired me that it is okay to be me
Love, Joy, Success, Strength, Power, and Happiness is not just something I will take in but something I will slowly devour
I will allow my heart, spirit, and mind to be drenched in the sweet, yet cleansing, overwhelming yet satisfying joy that this life has to offer, which is something I will continue to long for and day by day live out…in my mind, in my heart, in my soul
Because I forgot to pack fear and doubt for this journey; I’ve traveled light with only the essentials but no baggage because a spirit poised for flight cannot be denied,
a spirit poised for flight cannot be denied.
Song of her nature…
Written by: B. Castro, N. Johnson, Karen, W. Jaworska, M. Wary, L. Soto
Compiled by AMMAE June 2009
I am not quite sure who I am but I surely defend myself by saying that every day I am a different person with new ideas and new life goals
I’ve had my share of love, abuse, manipulation, and strengths misused
I’d like to achieve my goals in full because I am free to choose to live as I wish
I can choose happiness and confidence in myself whenever I wish because God wants me to.
I call myself a giver
My past experiences taught me that nothing is forever; therefore I take the opportunity of enjoying each moment
Every day is a new beginning, to love myself, to love you and for us to love ourselves
My mission lies in delivering the right information at the right time to each person on my path
I speak life, I speak health, and I speak prosperity
I see myself in the future as successful, traveling the world, working on Wall Street, accomplishing my goals, having new goals, being known and helping others
I am a mother,
I am a sister
I am a stronger woman
I am a goal setter
I am a good friend and daughter
I am successful
I am gorgeous
I am victorious
I am scientific
I see my beauty through my daily life
Compassion is in every one of us
Kindness is in every one of us
Generosity is in every one of us
Because beauty is our very nature
Because beauty is our very nature…
Liberty Partnership Program Poetry
Not Written by Chris B.
I am not a writer
I really hate to write
I just want to relax
An just be left alone
Human Written by Umu
I love because I live
I feel it’s not by choice
I hate, I feel. I kick, I scream
But that’s all because of love
I would never journey for love
I would never cry for I,
I know it is too good to be true
I run from it so it can never catch me
I know it is a lie because like the
Chasing
Even if I allow it in; it always knows I’m trying to run
It always comes disguised as a stranger
I always go along with it till the day I fall, then
I realize who it is
I guess I can say it always fools me like puppets do
It also keeps me human
And I know without it I’m
Empty
Minisink Spirit Poetry
The Spell Written by N. Diaz
Some people think life is hell.
But until we die there is no way we can tell.
Movies and magazines got us under a spell.
We stick to our kind.
We live in a bubble, flourish in a shell until
we realize there is more to life than just money.
the wind, the breeze, the overseas can be like honey.
The sweetest life of all.
