WOMEN

From the Mother who bore me to the women who tore me
Variety goes with their kind
And it brings spice to life some would make them a wife
Though love I believe makes them blind

The sisters that grew up beside me
Who tested my strength and restraint
Gave me varied perceptions of woman
Some think they’re the same but they ain’t

For each is another exception
If you think they’ll fit into a rule
You’re asking for trouble believe me
That thinking will make you the fool

From the girls at the dances in youth
Those desirable and sweet little misses
I still feel the warmth and awakening
Of the cuddles and first slippery kisses

And throughout that growth into manhood
The company of females was fraught
With the longing and hope and desire
But the fear I’d do wrong and be caught.

The fear was oppressed by the passion
A woman can knock down your guard
At times you’re unscathed and you’re happy
Sometimes you can land pretty hard

But that’s all just part of the contract
You make with yourself in this life
You can’t taste the best thing on offer
Without risking trouble and strife

So I led with my chin and I fell pretty hard
But I got to my feet to be sure
With two little girls to look after
You can’t remain down on the floor

Time then to stop treading water
Not to drown I just had to keep swimmin’
And relish the chance to do what I could
And bring up a couple of women

So I walked in the shoes of a single mum
Which were awkward and tight for a man
But the women around me helped me along
Like an honorary one of their clan

I suppose it was going to happen
Preordained if you like, I don’t know
I’m more likely to relate to a woman
Than a man who’s emotions don’t show

I stuck by the girls and allowed them to grow
While women they came and they went
As time ticked away I can honestly say
Life is blessed when you love with intent

Each new love has taught me some more
And I’ve learnt from most women I’ve known
In friendship and lust and love in its turn
They have warmed me or cut to the bone

While the cuts always heal if you value your time
And the love’s a bold venture it’s true
The friendship of women is as good as the love
And you know they’ll be there just for you

They say “oh he just loves women”
Though I feel like an old Peter Pan
When I look back I see it so clearly
It’s the women who’ve made me this man.

© Matthew Penfold 2009

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Tags:

girls, love, man, sisterhood and woman