What were this human <br />World without woman? <br />Think –just a minute! – <br />Without one in it – <br />A Man-Edan only, <br />Wretchad and lonely. <br />True, there’s a story <br />Scarce to her glory <br />Therewith connected, <br />But ‘tis suspected <br />Man, after all, <br />Was quite ready to fall! <br />If fault, he condoned it— <br />And through the years since, <br />Eva has atoned it. <br /> <br />Woman! Be honor <br />Ever upon her, <br />Whether as maiden, <br />Shy, beauty-laden – <br />Daughter, wife, sister, <br />Who can resist her? <br />Or as that other <br />And greater, the Mother, <br />Her babe – blossoms moulding <br />To perfect unfolding – <br />The home-temple guarding <br />To riches rewarding. <br /> <br />Though none be purer, <br />Sweeter and surer, <br />Avenues wider <br />Now open beside her. <br />Each day some new way! <br />God send the true way <br />She may seek ever <br />With earnest endeavor. <br />Here to the dark, a light! <br />Here to the wrong, a right! <br />There the truth sifting! <br />A soul, here, uplifting! <br />Patient, prevailing. <br />With purpose unfailing, <br />Till at life’s portal <br />Through Love immortal, <br />Supremely she stands, <br />The World in her hands. <br /> <br /> <br />Woman! All honor <br />And blessing upon her! <br />Knowing her truly, <br />Knowing her fully, <br />All her completeness, <br />Tenderness, sweetness – <br />Though there be times, too, <br />Sweet hardly rhymes to, <br />All of the changes <br />Through which she ranges, <br />Moods, tenses, phases, <br />I sing her praises.<br /><br />Ina D. Coolbrith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/woman-42/
