The Curse of the Strong Woman

By: Christine Fishel

I’m not a poet. And I know it. (See?) But this week I had to find a different way of getting out what was chewing up my insides.

I’ve realized that, with rare exception, Motherless Daughters are extremely strong women. Life has forced us to become that, and we’ve taken it on like the most important challenge and done it well. Too well, I’m learning.

I’m realizing that when we finally get to our breaking point—a point many steps past when we should have asked for help—it’s hard to find someone who is able to come alongside. Grief cannot truly be understood by someone who has not experienced it. So I wrote this poem, first in frustration, my head filled with questions, and then finally in gratitude when I found my answer.

The curse of the strong woman
Is she cannot always be strong;
There are days to come
When what’s right will go wrong.

And when those times
Begin to appear,
Who will hold her close?
Who will dry her tears?

Who wants to know her weakness,
Her doubts and her fears?
Who will listen to the anguish,
The darkness she feels?

Who will hold up her arms,
Keep her propped strong and tall,
When the situation she faces
Has just drained it all?

The curse of the strong woman
Is she rarely needs us.
But when she does, who will come?
Who is able?
Jesus.