I Hold the World

(A tribute to women)

Born out of the darkness of a weary womb

I entered the world to be doomed

Midst echoes of unending pain

A meaning out of life, I try to gain

Fed from an almost empty bowl by weakened hands

Still I stand, still I stand

Walking for miles without a pause

‘neath the scorching sun with blistered toes

With a lamp in one hand to show the way

And flowers in the other to make a perfect day

I climb and climb, my limit is the sky

I rise high, I rise high

Arousing hopes, mending dreams

Like a tinge of light, a distant gleam

Working through the day, guarding the night

My life in my hands, an empty soul inside

Trudging relentlessly, my happiness gone

Still, I move on, I move on

On coarse grains of sand I walk

My throat dry, still I talk

Surrounded by angry voices

I’m left but with a few choices

People really don’t let me live

Still I give, still I give

With my head held high, I walk and work

People scoff and they smirk

My lips still curve into a smile

I move with a broken heart, all the while

My dreams and desires lie in a corner curled

I hold the world, I hold the world