What can I say about this poem…it is the recognition that we, as women, sometimes have a hard time letting go of the…independence, for lack of a better word, in which we exist. For whatever our individual reasons are, we are used to doing things by ourselves and for ourselves. After how ever many years of living in that mindset, it can be hard to relax and let down that guard when a good and right man comes along. I don’t think that most men get that it has become a part of who we are as opposed to it just being an attitude or a difficult way of acting. I have had enlightening conversations with a few girlfriends about this lately and I understand the importance of us knowing when we can let it go…when we can let down the guard. Easier said than done, as I’m sure most of us have been hurt before, but it is necessary. Keep in mind that this only applies to that good and right man I mentioned earlier…
humble me
Humble me Lord
while I fumble these words
and submit to the possibility
that he may be
for me
that he may be
the other half of the we
I was never sure I’d see
that he may be
the man to see
the virtuous woman in me
so Lord I pray You
help me to be made ready and
Humble me
Humble me Lord
so that he sees
the willing that
sometimes resides
behind the disguise
of independence
so that he sees
the me
hiding behind the defenses
so that he sees
how strongly I really want
to be in this
so Lord I pray You
help me to release my resistance and
Humble me
Humble me Lord
so that I know
when to be heard
and when to listen
so that my pride knows
when to relinquish
the rights to my submission
so that my mind knows
it’s safe to
grant my heart permission
so Lord I pray You
help me to make needing him my admission and
Humble me
Humble me Lord
so that he and I can be on
one accord
in all ways
so that on those days
when it gets rough
I allow him to take my hand
as we pray
so that when we get
caught in this craze
I submit to his ability to lead us
out the maze
so Lord I pray You
help me to surrender my stubborn ways and
Humble me
Humble me Lord
are the most genuine words
I speak
as I seek to
release all that
is old and
all past hurts
to which my heart
still holds
Lord I pray You
make me bold in my
new willingness
to be open
make me soft
before my words are spoken
make me ready to fully embrace love again
and make me strong enough to
allow my head to bow and
my knees to bend
so Lord
just as you’ve humbled
him
Lord I pray You
Humble me.
Amen.
-cdt, 5/15/08
Cip,
This is so on point. I often think about how I will make the transition from uber single woman to a submitted wife. It seems like such a daunting thing but as a wise, older woman in my life always tells me, “when the right comes along, it will be so natural to you”. I’ll be honest and I’ll borrow a line from Mary J. Blige, “I’m tired of screaming independent, I want to start depending” on the one. The independent thing is great but I don’t think I’ll have any problem having a partner in this life, especially someone with similar goals, values, and hustle mentality as me. It won’t hurt to allow him to take the garbage out or scrape the ice of the front porch in the winter either!
P
snap snap snap snap snap…..
You know I luv it
Great! Shows a lot interpersonal relatatioships insight.
Cip,
The poem is serious and I had been meaning to tell you so. And as a man, on the outside looking in, it seems like it’s the soundtrack to the way in which many women approach relationships with men; at least the ones that I have involved myself with. Though I completely understand why woman keep their guard up, I don’t understand how she can ever expect to be in a relationship without the chance of being disappointed, heartbroken, or hurt. A relationship is a package chuck full of good and bad, ups and downs, joy and pain. And, frankly, anyone who’s not prepared for that, doesn’t want a relationship. Period! I don’t care who the man may be or whenever those guards come down; the dynamics of a relationship are inevitable. And though the poem was focused on women, men are susceptible to the same vulnerability. We have feelings as well. Personally, I am susceptible to being hurt, but in the event that something happens to cause me to be hurt; it will not surprise me. So a guard is non-existent to me. I am Tay everyday. I guess I’m some sort of strange pessimist. I prepare for the worst so when it comes, I’m not as affected. I look forward to the challenges to come because uncertainty is the only thing certain. Much love Cip. I’m your biggest fan!
-sigh- I just need to print this out and hand it to that boy.
FABULOUS