Whatever happened to superwoman?
somewhere between
juggling a career
and womanhood
she got lost
beneath a stack of "do" lists
endless appointments
buried desires
and accumulated achievements…
Whatever happened to superwoman?
last seen tipping
right off the balancing beam
thrown off-kilter by too much weight
carried in over-ambitious arms
it has been reported
that she lost the ability
to walk between the raindrops
without getting drenched…
no longer able to move
faster than the speed of sound
emotionally
and physically spent
she maintained her image
stifling the urge to cry help
staggering onward
getting wetter and wetter
moving closer
to the kryptonite
of needs ignored
superwoman slipped
and fell…
into a puddle of wordless pride
that threatened to drain
the last strainof
independent strength
that she possessed…
Whatever happened to superwoman?
I found her crying disillusioned tears
weary of her own superhuman efforts
staring back at me
from the looking glass
begging me to keep her secret…
that against all better efforts and judgment
the truth remained the same…
we were not created
to be alone
standing as miniature islands
flexing imaginary muscles
ignoring our hearts
our souls
our very essence…
Whatever happened to superwoman?
she unraveled her cape
in the face of understanding
and welcomed the Son
with open arms
vulnerable
unchallenging
growing ever stronger
in the celebration
or her weaknesses
she gave into love
and all that it brings
and found it much easier to fly…
By Michelle McKinney Hammond
