Ms. Vickie M. Oliver-Lawson is a public school administrator, wife, and mother from Baltimore, MD. She is the author of Vocal Moments (a collection of various poems designed to inspire, heal, humor and give you food for thought), released in 2003 and published by Poeticjava Publishing. Ms.Lawson is also the author of In the Quilting Tradition (is a story about the interaction between a young man and his grandmother as she tells him about the tradition of quilting from an African perspective) released in 2005 and published by Poeticjava Publishing. For further information visit her site at www.authorsden.com/vickiemoliverlawson

WHY WOMEN CRY
by Vickie M. Oliver-Lawson

Women cry
Because it cleanses our souls
And purifies our spirits
Like a fresh waterfall

Women cry
Because we are emotional creations
And often wear our hearts on our sleeves
Which sometimes get burned
Like irons in a fire

Women cry
Because the movie
Is just that good
And the good guy doesn’t always get the girl in the end
Even if he does wear a white hat.

Women cry
Because they nurture kingdoms
During seasonal changes
But often go unthanked by civilizations
As we move into the winters of our lives.

Women cry
Because our tears
Remind us of the salt in our wounds
As we are ever evolving
So we don’t go back to the way things were

Women cry
Because it is our way of becoming stronger
As we move forward toward goals we set for ourselves
And posterity.

Women cry
Because sometimes the struggle is a bit much
To endure for progress’ sake
As we remain phenomenal.

Women cry
Because our tears are an unexplained mystery of life
That, once released, causes us to feel better
To feel refreshed, to feel quenched and satisfied.

So sister, get your cry on, if you must
Because tears don’t diminish the strength of a woman
They only serve to demonstrate that we are a lifeforce with which to be reckoned.

Copyright © by Vickie M. Oliver-Lawson

Daughter of Eve
by Vickie M. Oliver-Lawson

I am the daughter of Eve
Walking along the Motherland's Nile
With my head held high for all to see and admire
My beautiful queenliness.

I am the daughter of Eve
The mother of all living
With my rich earth-toned skin
Emulated by others, but unique in its own way.

I am the daughter of Eve
So fruitful
As evident by suckling babes
I'm raising warriors
To walk their future in my own footsteps.

I am the daughter of Eve
Walking beside my mate
In a wifely state
And essential to the existence of all.

I am the daughter of Eve
Leaving my legacy of life
For those who will come behind
And carry on my strength and beauty.

I am the daughter of Eve
Giving life to others
As they remember my inner strength
The core of my being

I am the daughter of Eve
Walking in my mother's footsteps
Guiding and assisting posterity
As we follow the ways of the Creator.

I am the daughter of Eve
Standing on my mother's shoulders
Exuding strength and leaving my mark
For all to see and know That I existed.

Copyright © by Vickie M. Oliver-Lawson

For further information about the poetry workshop, contact Ms. Lawson at vpoetess-AT-aol.com or by phone at 410-960-9267.