WORDS OF INSPIRATION


          These are some poems and quotes I think are pretty cool. If you know of a poem that you'd like to see featured here, please send it along with the author's name for crediting purposes.



          "Normal is in the eye of the beholder."
          - Whoopi Goldberg



          PHENOMENAL WOMAN

          by Maya Angelou


          Pretty women wonder where my secrets lie
          I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion 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 steps
          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 in the fire in my eyes
          And the flash of my teeth
          The swing of my waist
          And the joy in my feet.
          Phenomenal woman
          That's me.

          Men themselves have wondered
          What they see in me
          Then 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 in 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 for my care.
          'Cause I'm a woman
          Phenomenally
          Phenomenal woman
          That's me.



          Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.
          Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
          -- Helen Keller


          No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
          -- Eleanor Roosevelt




          ~ YOU ARE UNIQUE ~


          You may not think that the world needs you, but it does. For you are unique, like no one that has ever been before or will come after.

          No one can speak with your voice, say your piece, smile your smile, or shine your light. No one can take your place, for it is yours alone to fill.

          If you are not there to shine your light, who knows how many travelers will lose their way as they try to pass by your empty place in the darkness?

          - Author Unknown
          Bits & Pieces, October 1997
          Economic Press




          WANT WHAT SHE'S HAVING

          I have a new delightful friend,
          I am most in awe of her.
          When we first met I was impressed,
          By her bizarre behavior.

          That day I had a date with friends,
          We met to have some lunch.
          Mae had come along with them,
          All in all...a pleasant bunch.

          When the menus were presented,
          We ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups.
          Except for Mae who circumvented,
          And said, Ice Cream, please: two scoops.

          I was not sure my ears heard right,
          And the others were aghast.
          Along with heated apple pie,
          Mae added, completely unabashed.

          We tried to act quite nonchalant,
          As if people did this all the time.
          But when our orders were brought out,
          I did not enjoy mine.

          I could not take my eyes off Mae,
          As her pied a-la-mode went down.
          The other ladies showed dismay,
          They ate their lunches silently, and frowned.

          Well, the next time I went out to eat,
          I called and invited Mae.
          My lunch contained white tuna meat,
          She ordered a parfait.

          I smiled when her dish I viewed,
          And she asked if she amused me.
          I answered, Yes, you do,
          But also you confuse me.

          How come you order rich desserts,
          When I feel I must be sensible?
          She laughed and said, with wanton mirth,
          I am tasting all that's possible.

          I try to eat the foods I need,
          And do the things I should.
          But life's so short, my friend, indeed,
          I hate missing out on something good.

          This year I realized how old I was,
          She grinned, I've not been this old before.
          So, before I die, I've got to try,
          Those things for years I had ignored.

          I've not smelled all the flowers yet,
          There's too many books I have not read.
          There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down,
          And kites to be flown overhead.

          There are many malls I have not shopped,
          I've not laughted at all the jokes.

          I've missed a lot of Broadway Hits,
          And potato chips and cokes.

          I want to wade again in water,
          And feel ocean spray upon my face.
          Sit in a country church once more,
          And thank God for It's grace.

          I want peanut butter every day,
          Spread on my morning toast.
          I want un-timed long-distance calls,
          To the folks I love the most.

          I've not cried at all the movies yet,
          Nor walked in the morning rain.
          I need to feel wind in my hair,
          I want to fall in love again.

          So if I choose to have dessert,
          Instead of having dinner
          Then should I die before night fall,
          I'd say I died a winner.

          Because I missed out on nothing,
          I filled my heart's desire.
          I had that final chocolate mousse,
          Before my life expired.

          With that I called the waitress over,
          I've changed my mind, it seems.
          I said, I want what she is having,
          Only add some more whipped-cream!

              --Authur Unknown




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