This was my final project.
For those of you who follow my poetry blog (thelyracist.wwebly.com) or are in my Women in Ministry class, you might remember my poem: letters to my friends' daughters. Well, this post is a sort of continuation from that. However, this isn't a poem (hence it's on this site), and there aren't any specific names attached. I think this is a post that all people (feel free to change the pronouns as you read t if you wish) need to be reminded of once in a while.
The letter follows some of the early life-cycles that young girls go through, from an observer's perspective.
the earth rejoiced.
Dear daughter of creation,
When you were born the earth rejoiced.
Not because of what you would become.
Not because of where you came from.
But because your spirit was something brand new,
something the world had never seen before.
As you became more aware of the reality that surrounded you,
people who love you watched in wonder.
They watched you develop likes and dislikes.
They heard you ask questions.
They discovered your voice while you did too.
As you ventured into the world
away from the nest of your loved ones
you instinctively reached for friendships.
These would serve you well.
As children grow and discover their place in the world
they can be unforgiving when differences arise.
All of a sudden there were rules to learn,
rules your parents and teachers didn't give you.
Little one, when you came home today
in tears because the boys at school wouldn't
let you in their club I cried with you because
I had hoped that this problem had expired
along with the hair styles in your parents' senior pictures.
I cried for what little childhood
you would be afforded after that moment.
Then daughter, you changed.
You morphed before our eyes into
a different version of you.
The approval you reached for
was now that of your peers.
Gone were the pigtails and the prayers before bed.
A collection of magazines and make up began
cluttering your bedroom,
and your evenings ended with conversations with
friends on the phone.
As you continue to develop
your identity among the universe,
I cannot help but begin to call
you sister.
You were born into a family of sisterhood,
a family tree that produces fruits
of bravery, strength, resiliency,
faith, and passion.
If you study the long history of sisters
that have come before you
you'll notice a long history of women
being told "no."
Many were told that their dreams
were impossible.
There were dismissed for even trying.
They were told that women can't.
Courageous sister,
look up to the sky
beyond the stars and the cratered moon
and there you will find your limitations.
But only if you believe it to be true.
I don't want to fool you dear sister.
The world will not simply hand things to you.
There will be good days.
But there will also be bad days.
There will be days when the
world doesn't seem on your side.
On those days remember the people
who love you. Remember your sisters.
We are here for you.
The world will give you countless
places to hide and fairytales
to believe in.
And you can live there if you want to.
You can sleep through your entire life,
but you won't find your dreams there.
When you find your dreams dear sister,
I pray they're strong enough to knock
you off of your feet.
Grasp the hand that helps you back up
and know that God is with you.
Brave and beautiful sister,
I hope you believe me when
I tell you that who you are is
completely up to you.
e. e. martin
April, 2015.
Thanks for reading!
-Em.