I not only love myself, but it is because I love myself that I expect to be treated with the respect for my feelings, needs, and desires just as that man would want me to do for him. I expect that when I am willing to give myself to a man, that he be willing to do the same and without the expectation that I need to be whatever it is that he expects that I should be while not holding himself accountable for his own actions, thoughts, and behaviors.

There is no "sour grapes" in what I have written, but a real and genuine insight that is also the heartfelt cry of many GOOD AND WONDERFUL Women who have not seen the type of unconditional love that many a man expects from them.

Yes.....I have struck a cord because what I have said is insightful, to the point...and it is truth!

Because I love and respect myself....I expect to be loved and respected! I AM WILLING TO GIVE 100% OF MYSELF TO THE MAN THAT I LOVE......living alongside him as his best friend, his lover, his helpmeet, his support system, the lover of his very soul (for I will pray for him) and do all that I can to be the woman that he needs for me to be in his life! BUT.....I am expecting the same from him.

When one gives themselves and it is not enough, then one wonders....."What more can I do? What more is it that you want?" Then the question comes in...."Does that person want to be pleased? Can they? What is lacking in them that they cannot be pleased? Do they really love me at all or do they love their "ideal?" Then, of course, I am not going to fulfill that unrealistic expectation! It is impossible!

I cannot be something that I will never be just to please anyone, therefore how can I do this for you?

Is there room for change? Yes...none of us is perfect! But if the demands for change are unreasonable or unrealistic...if I am trying to be a "Super Model" of some fantasy expectation in your mind when all that I can be is the person God created "me" to be, then I don't have a chance! Now tell me....is that fair?

No....this is not a poem from some disgruntled, haggard, selfish woman! It is not about looking at the flaws of someone else and blasting them for it! It is a poem of accountability toward one another! It is saying......GENTLEMEN.....you can't have your cake and eat it too! IT TAKES TWO TO LOVE! ACCEPT ME as you want to be accepted! LOVE ME as you want me to love you! DO FOR ME what you want done for you! The door swings both ways!

It is a poem that says......and only to those men to whom this may apply......APPRECIATE that GOOD WOMAN that may be standing before you! She may not be every thing that you may think that you want.......BUT SHE IS EVERYTHING THAT YOU WILL NEED AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

I wish you "Joy", I wish you "Happiness", but above all else.......I wish you True and Lasting "Love."

Christine Page
Copyright ©2002 Christine M. Page


Now, the poem:

What More Can A Woman Do?


by CHRISTINE M. PAGE



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



WHAT MORE CAN A WOMAN DO??

All I want is to be loved and honored
for who I am, to be in a mutually loving relationship!
I don't want to have to jump through hoops,
contort myself into a likeness of what someone else wants me to be
until I cannot recognize myself anymore
or take their insensitivity for my feelings,
having to smile through the sadness in my heart!

If a man is interested, he will show it
and will do what he needs to do to draw you into his world.
He will CHERISH your presence in his life
and you won't have to doubt it!
Can you tell me, is this fact or fantasy,
fiction or truth?
This is what I've been told,
but I don't know
what to believe anymore.
So tell me this.......
What more can a woman do?

I am soooo sick of it all!

I feel like simply giving up on men.
It's just too hard.
I don't want a woman (if you know what I mean)....BUT,
I am tired of trying to figure out
what it is that men want (?)
in order for me to be acceptable.
It's as if men think, they don't really have to try,
as if they feel you can wait
and they can be as picky as they want to be
because they know that if you don't work out,
there are several others in line.
What more can a woman do??

Will I ever be Pretty enough?
Sexy enough?
Chaste enough?
Womanly enough?
Smart enough?
Loving enough?
Kind enough?
Rich or Poor enough?
Intelligent enough?
Maternal enough?
Humble enough?
Modest enough?
Healthy enough?
Educated enough?
Stable enough?
Shapely enough?
Clean enough?
Friendly enough?
Patient enough?
"Staying out of your space" enough?
Issueless enough?
Spiritual enough?
"Willing to Wait" enough?
Quiet or Loud enough?
Gentle enough?
"Mama like" enough?
Sane enough?
Happy enough?
Adventurous enough?
"Goddess Like" enough?
ANYTHING ENOUGH
For you?
What more can a woman do??

I've changed so much
until I have to wear a
nametag to recognize myself!
Change is good, I like what I see,
but is it enough to warrant
your love, your acceptance?
What more can a woman do?

It makes me angry
and I just want to shout....
"Fine then! Just leave me alone!!!!"
That is how I feel right now.
Because right now,
and for myself,
and because my God says so........
I am enough for Him
and I am enough to me!!

What more can a woman do??

Christine M. Page
Copyright ©2001 Christine M. Page


This poem is dedicated to all of my Beautiful "SisterFriends" who are desiring to be loved for who they are
AND
To all of my "BrotherFriends" who need to CONSIDER
the effect
you have upon
and the IMPORTANCE
that you play
in the lives
of the women
who would love you........