A Woman You Can Admire

11 March 2026

https://poems.culturing.net/2026/03/11/a-woman-you-can-admire/

There is still some libido in the tank,
I will not deny it, though I will deny her
the right to it, unless she reforms,
until she is strong enough to love
by light of day.

I really had hoped that the matinée
might be the resolution, the moment desire
burst forth into the sun. It was not,
but there were just enough hints to keep me
hanging on. Do you see what you're doing?
Do you know it's unhealthy? I stand
by my outburst, and I stand by my decision
to walk away, head held high. You have
so much in you that is worthy of praise that it pains me
to see you debase yourself with insincerity,
casual leading-on with apparently no intention
of following through. Is this just a game to you?
How little you know of the world and your place in it!
I cannot make you understand, but I sense
that some part of you knows, even laughs
at your own maneuverings, whatever their purpose.
Their only valid purpose is growth, or healing,
or healing leading to growth. You can do better.
I know you can, because I can, though there was a time
when I couldn't. I wish you well, forever.
You have a chance to be strong, and I hope
you will take it. I hope you will grow
into the woman I imagined you could be, or at least
a woman whom you can admire.