Here I Stand
A Poem of Gratitude for The Women Who Came Before Me and Hope For The Women Will Come After
Here I stand
upon their shoulders
high above the world where
I can touch the diamonds of the heavens
* * * * * *
Rebecca gave me life
put a book in my lap
and a pen in my hand so
I can create a world of my very own
* * * * * *
JoAnn gave me her name
held me tight in her arms
whispered I was her favorite so
I can see my beauty without a looking glass
* * * * * *
Norma gave me lessons
taught me to bake and sew
and of the God she loved. Now
I hear her voice with God echo in every chore
* * * * * *
They prepared me
to find my way and climb
high onto their shoulders where
I can touch the diamonds of the heavens
* * * * * *
When I could get no higher
others came with gifts
and lessons of their own
to bolster the mothers who held me aloft
* * * * * *
Mary gave me her son
put his hand into mine
and trusted me. With him
I found happily ever after plus more
* * * * * *
Annie gave me a second home
opened up her doors
and her heart forever. She
proves family is more than blood
* * * * * *
Esther gave me strength
showing sacrifice, endurance
holding it all together in
the moment her child needed her most
* * * * * *
Delores gave me love
and melaleuca.
Both were her answer to
heal any cut, burn, or wounded heart
* * * * * *
With their strength
I soared higher than
they could dream to reach. Here
I can touch the diamonds of the heavens
* * * * * *
Now I see Brooke
on the shoulders
of her mothers who
gave her strength and greatness
* * * * * *
Jean gave her life,
love, and wisdom
with confidence to
chase after her dreams and my son
* * * * * *
Together Jean and I stand
high on the shoulders
of our mothers so
we can lift Brooke higher still
* * * * * *
There she stands
upon our shoulders
high above the world where
she will touch the diamonds beyond the heavens
and one day raise her daughters even higher still
About the Creator
A. J. Schoenfeld
I only write about the real world. But if you look close enough, you'll see there's magic hiding in plain sight everywhere.
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Comments (21)
The specificity here is so powerful names gifts, lessons. It turns gratitude into something tangible and deeply moving.
Absolutely beautiful and a well written tribute to those before and after you. Nicely done. Congratulations on your well deserved win. Nicely Done!!
A magical tribute to the generations of women before and the one after you. Congratulations on your win!
Personal standout part "They prepared me to find my way and climb high onto their shoulders where I can touch the diamonds of the heavens" Congratulations on your win, A.J.! This was breathtakingly beautiful❣
This is so beautiful and written with such tender love, A.J.! The women in ours lives are truly invaluable. Congratulatons on the very well-deserved win! 💙💙
Congratulations !
Delores has impeccable taste! I love tea tree oil. You have a way (and sway) with emotion.
This is so profound - the concept and all of the naming of people and what they gave you. I absolutely love it! CONGRATULATIONS!!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
It is the women who carry the emotion burdens; it’s the women who raise others up rather than putting them down; it’s the women who demonstrate love in demeanor and action, even if not felt in the moment. Wonderful, inspiring tribute, AJ. Richly deserving of the winner’s circle !
I am so proud of you and know the long legacy of women mentioned above would feel the same! Be proud, please believe in yourself a little harder! congrats, cheers and hugs from your Scottiish big bro! You are awesome! i am not teary eyed! award winning poet!
Congratulations on your win, A.J. 🎉🎉 I was happy to see you amongst the winners.
This is incredible, A.J! A very worthy winner! Congratulations, and on a side note, it was fun to see the mention of melaleuca. Something my family has been using for decades.
Beautifully inspiring… love the progression through the generations.
INCREDIBLY beautiful, insightful, and meaningful!!! LOVED this
This is so beautiful, it really highlights the joy and strength that come from a strong support network. 👏👏✨
Excellent AJ
Beautiful and empowering.
Empowering, A.J. Women are a powerful breed indeed.
What a beautiful way to honour the women in your life.
AJ. This is a winner if ever I've read one. Loved the refrain and the concept and think you pulled it off with gusto elegance and pride. Well done my friend, I wanted to stamp my feet We Will Rock You style while I read this. Stamp my feet and clap and raise a fist to the woman who raised you and more. Seriously. Loved it..did I say that? Well I'll say it again. Loved this. Well done sis.