Imminent One

You are independent and strong. Beautiful.

But not by the measures of the men that have the word at the tip of their tongue.

But by the measure of the maker and possibly by the men who have it tucked away

And only use it on certain occasions for certain worthy women. 

But most assuredly by the measures of the reflection who stares back

And asks why don't they see my worth? 

Worthless are the empty words that are thrown at me in attempt to somehow

Swoon me into their bedroom. 

I dodge them

But one hits me. It may be empty but it's heavy.

And it hurt.  Lies aren't lightweight and wait, why don't they see my worth? 

Call me Queen not "Queenie". And you be a king

And one day our love will sing. 

Respect me because I am a daughter,

I am a granddaughter, I am a sister,

I am a niece, I'll be an aunt, and one day I'll be a mother. 

Respect me because I respect myself.

And even on the days that you don't

I still will.