Tuesday, April 9, 2013

A to Z Challenge

  

For the A-Z challenge, we decided to post a new and original poem every day. Today is Regina's birthday and she writes about hair for the letter "H".


The Importance of Hair



At sixteen
I cut off my hair.
Long locks of
obedience fell to
the floor without reverence.

Not content to be
my father's daughter
at Bible study,
I went out on the town.

Rebellious he shouted,
certain my future
was damned.

But this, my first stand,
forged me. Samson braced
against crumbling columns,
without regret.

Strong is as strong does.

Defiant could no longer
define me, strength could.
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49 comments:

  1. Sarah WilliamsApril 9, 2013 at 2:35 AM

    A wonderful poem.
    Wishing you a very happy birthday!

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  2. UnknownApril 9, 2013 at 2:56 AM

    You know how much I love this one :) Happy birthday my sweet friend. In my life, you have been an amazing gift.

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    Replies
    1. ReginaApril 9, 2013 at 6:26 AM

      This is still a first draft. It made me cringe a bit when I posted it. But it's all a process and someday I'll get to revise it. Thank you for this great adventure, Juliet!

      Delete
  3. LuAnnApril 9, 2013 at 5:58 AM

    Love this poem !!! Enjoy your day - happy birthday

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  4. katie eggemanApril 9, 2013 at 6:09 AM

    Happy Birthday. Are you a preacher's kid? Rebellion at 16 who knew? Well done.
    Katie atBankerchick Scratchings

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    Replies
    1. ReginaApril 9, 2013 at 6:25 AM

      I am a preacher's kid. And yes those stereotypes apply to me. you know the ones about the black sheep wild child, that was me :)

      Delete
  5. Mark MeansApril 9, 2013 at 6:50 AM

    Nice poem and I hope you have a great birthday! :)

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  6. D.E. MaloneApril 9, 2013 at 6:51 AM

    Enjoyed this very much! Have a wonderful birthday!

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  7. jaybirdApril 9, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    Happy Birthday! Wonderful poem Regina, packed with a lot of emotional power.

    I knew quite a few PK's growing up. They tend to get quite a reputation, know matter how good or bad the choices they make are. With all those eyes watching them, they don't seem to stand much of a chance. Not a position I have ever envied or wanted to be placed in :)

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  8. Tyrean MartinsonApril 9, 2013 at 8:28 AM

    Powerful poem of strength! Happy Birthday!

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  9. Dani and JaxApril 9, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    Happy birthday, Regina! Lovely poem!

    Cover Girls

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  10. KateApril 9, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    Happy Birthday! I wish we had a picture of that haircut to go along with this :)

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    Replies
    1. ReginaApril 9, 2013 at 5:39 PM

      Here is a link to this poem when i first posted it along with a a pic!
      http://swaggerwriters.blogspot.com/2012/10/sixteen.html

      Delete
  11. IngerApril 9, 2013 at 9:02 AM

    Happy Birthday! The last two lines are so insightful, I wish many teenagers would read them. Great poem.

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  12. Julie FlandersApril 9, 2013 at 10:20 AM

    Another powerful poem. Happy Birthday to you, Regina!!

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  13. A month of....BlogApril 9, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    Another beautiful one...A month of Blog...

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  14. UnknownApril 9, 2013 at 10:35 AM

    Happy birthday and that's a powerful poem. :)

    - A fellow blogger from A to Z!

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  15. Kathy Cannon WiechmanApril 9, 2013 at 10:51 AM

    Happy birthday, dear friend! You have certainly needed that strength over the years. Good thing you forged it young.

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    Replies
    1. ReginaApril 9, 2013 at 5:41 PM

      Thank you, Kathy! It's so nice when you come over for a visit. Makes me smile :)

      Delete
  16. UnknownApril 9, 2013 at 11:38 AM

    Happy Birthday. Great poem! Visiting from the A-Z.

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

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  17. Al DiazApril 9, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    Regina, have a very happy birthday! lots of blessings to you. :D

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  18. JagodaApril 9, 2013 at 4:07 PM

    Another good poem. I'm enjoying your blog. And I see it's your birthday--hope it's fabulous!

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    Replies
    1. ReginaApril 9, 2013 at 5:42 PM

      Glad that you are enjoying our blog. It's been a lot of fun!

      Delete
  19. UnknownApril 9, 2013 at 4:20 PM

    very nice....I love the last line. Happy birthday!

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  20. AnonymousApril 9, 2013 at 5:37 PM

    Nice poem. I like how u related the girl to Samson.

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  21. S.P. BowersApril 9, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    Love the imagery in the poem. This is my first visit here. Nice to meet you.

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    Replies
    1. ReginaApril 9, 2013 at 6:20 PM

      Thanks for stopping in and we hope to see you again!

      Delete
  22. KristenApril 9, 2013 at 5:46 PM

    Awesome poem, and happy birthday!

    From A to Z, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com

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  23. UnknownApril 9, 2013 at 7:55 PM

    Happy Birthday, great poem! Thanks for stopping by this morning! =)

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  24. Beth CampApril 9, 2013 at 8:48 PM

    Happy Birthday one more time! I loved the poem, especially that evocative image that has you cutting your hair. What a transition to move from being "daddy's girl" to being your own person! From strength to strength.

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  25. Mina MenonApril 10, 2013 at 3:01 AM

    U know these lines can apply for many teens across the world...

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  26. AnonymousApril 10, 2013 at 11:37 AM

    What a strong and beautiful poem! I just read a book (women's fiction) you might want to check out entitled The Wisdom of Hair, by Kim Boykin... similar subject matter. :) Amazing how changing your hair can feel so empowering!

    Enjoy your A to Z journey!
    Jess / Blogging on the Brink

    ReplyDelete
  27. JulannApril 11, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    I love this topic and kudos to you! I don't think I could do one poem, let alone an alphabet!

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