Woman Poem by Noluyolo Mapuma

I widened my eyes seeking differences; I softened my heart accepting changes; I don't recognize the hands of a man; but I can feel the marks of a woman's; I don't know the arms of a man; but I know the warmth of a woman's; I don't recall a man's voice but my drums know the rhythm of a woman's; I never found a man's footstep but I still follow a woman's: I'm not a Lady by choice, but a woman by actions; its not the make-up that makes me glitter; but the golden beauty inner and outer; I am woman raised, woman nurtured, woman brought, woman built! I am a woman in Christ; a woman amongst women; I'm not a leaf that has fallen far from its tree, but I'm a tree that grew from a leaf; I'm not a color that doesn't match; but I'm a color that stands out; I'm not one in a million, but I'm a zillion amongst millions, I'm not a lady by choice; but I'm a woman by actions, I m a woman in Christ, I am a woman amongst women