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.

49 comments:

  1. A wonderful poem.
    Wishing you a very happy birthday!

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  2. 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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    1. 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!

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

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

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    1. 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 :)

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

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  6. Enjoyed this very much! Have a wonderful birthday!

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  7. 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. Powerful poem of strength! Happy Birthday!

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

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    1. 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

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

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

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

    - A fellow blogger from A to Z!

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

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

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

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  20. Awesome poem, and happy birthday!

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

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

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

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  24. 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

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  25. 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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