Nobody puts baby in a corner

- "Oh Eli", said my friend today, "I will never forget when I felt sooo low. I felt like nothing. A nobody. Worthless, down, broken. And you quoted this line...Have you any idea how powerful I felt at that time? And how powerful I feel now? Look at me, where I am?!"

I smiled. She was so happy. She was offered the new job she wanted so much. Today. I felt a bubbling feeling spreading in all my body. Yay! She did it! So proud of her and so so happy - simply because she was so happy! What a joy!

And that's the thing. That's the "sisterhood" I share with my besties. The ones who know. The ones you share tears and laughter with. The ones you stand by - shoulder by shoulder. Your wing women. Through thick and thin. Through rain and sun. Those who are there - no matter what. Those who love you for who you are. Unconditional friendship, unconditional love.

And a poem came to my mind: Phenomenal Woman - oh what a powerful poem! The strength and warmth spreading out from it. And I think of the phenomenal women in my life. The amazing ones. Today I feel grateful for them. And grateful that I am there - and can share - such an overwhelming joy - for my friend today. So happy - that she just did it, showed them, stood up for herself, followed her dream, went for it. Because nobody puts ladies like us in a corner! Nobody!

Maya Angelou: Phenomenal woman: 

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

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

So you be sure - nobody puts baby in a corner! Ever!

Small joys, big life

So what on earth does that mean, of course you might think
well, a hike, a cup of tea, with a friend - makes the link

- to a life that can bring you happiness my dear
the key is gratitude, ooooh, I do swear

- so, take a moment each day to think about
what you are grateful for -  and please please don't

- dwell with the what if's, the whens, when to be
life is now, let yourself sink into it, stay free

- and be grateful that you can Just Be - one more day
it is not for everyone, so just listen and say

- to yourself that a small joy is what makes it so big
with its ups and downs, life is what you should digg

and be grateful for small joys like walking on snow
with some fresh air, a sunset, and you linger with how

- is it possible to feel such a joy for just that.....

- and it is
 

Happy New Year -

- is it time for us to say
as the old year has gently faded away

a year is like life, with good days and bad
with laughter and joy, some sad and some mad

still all of them moments that reminds you that
- you are alive and that you really can let -

- bad things be, and just move on
live again, dare to love, to be strong

and that is the magic of life, my friend
we will all keep on going till the end

and we will carry with us our life untill now
that's our luggage: moments and people we know

on a mountaintop, in the arms of your dear
or alone in a safe place, or to face your big fear

or wherever you wish with whoever you want
that is freedom, and no one can tell you "you can't"

because only you own your life, every step of the way
every dull daily minute, every weekend and holiday

so dear reader, I wish you all the best for the new year to be
and thank you for having read my simple 2016 poetry

and maybe I'll write a few more in this year as well,
ops, I guess I already did. If you like them that's swell
( - and if you don't, that's ok too
it will stay between me and you:-) )

No matter what:
I really wish you all the best for 2017. Freedom is being You. Be you!