"I am a Lady"

A poem, by C.J. Heck

Mama started early with my two sisters, Claudia, Shari, and me. There were many obvious —and a few not so obvious guidelines that, in her mind anyway, ladies of today should abide by. While we were growing up, she often pointed out:

“Ladies don’t sweat, girls, they perspire.”
“Ladies, don’t pass gas. Hold it in until you are in a restroom.”
”Ladies, always pull your tummy in so it looks nice and flat.”
”Ladies, never burp loudly. Hide it in a napkin, or a hanky.”
”Ladies, do not spit.”
”Ladies, you shouldn’t swear, drink too much, etc.”

Claudia and I shared a bedroom and we used to talk and giggle about our ‘lady guidelines’. We also wondered if Daddy had a set of gentlemen’s guidelines that he was teaching our three brothers.

We’re all grown up now, grandparents, all of us. To be honest, we took our list of guidelines about as seriously as the sun would if you told it you wanted a sunny Saturday for a picnic. All of us knew they were just guidelines and there was no punishment for infringements.

Not to step on Mama’s toes, I respect what she was instilling in our young minds; however, I grew up to have other guidelines I valued even more for being a lady:

I Am A Lady
by C.J. Heck

I am a lady,
but I am so much more.
I am capable of
great insight and quiet wisdom,
undying devotion and love.

I am willing to give
more than receive
as long as it doesn't
become habit
and you take and take
and never offer
anything in return.

I am a lady.
I am more than
a receptacle,
or a body
to be viewed
and screwed
at your leisure,
giving no thought
to what goes on
above my neck.

I'll not be
your window dressing,
nor your bobble-head doll
who nods in agreement
with everything
you say and do.

I am a lady.
I've heard it said
that to kiss a man
when he wants to be kissed
is like scratching a place
that doesn't itch.

But I will guarantee
that I'll always have an itch
and not just for kisses,
but only if I am loved
and the love is shared
with respect, kindness,
honesty and faithfulness.

Rest assured,
it will all be returned
to you ten-fold,
because, you see,
once the bedroom door
closes and the passion
rages in my blood,

I don't have to be
a lady any more …

Poet/Writer/Author of 5 books.
Quora Top Writer 2018.
CJ’s World is reader supported.
If you enjoy reading my work, please,
be a paid subscriber so I can continue 
writing.  Thank you!