five poems by mary alice ramsey

launched!
I am electrified
And I’ve been sexified
I have a launched libido
And no longer hide
Behind the weak defense
Of a pristine pretense
Honey, I’ve been launched!
Listen, Men
Oh, pause, begin
To drop the preconception
Of the estrogen
I may not be ideal
But I’ve become so real
Darlin’, I’ve been launched!
I have an inner wealth
Because I love myself
So when you see me comin’
See a sexy health
The best is yet to come
C’mon an’ get you some
Whoa! I’ve been launched!

who i am
I’ve had zippers up my back
And sashes tied behind
I’ve had sharp toes
And pointed heels
And didn’t even mind
Elastic traps and hooks and straps
Because I sought to find
The woman who I was
The woman who I was

I’ve had soft skirts that twirl and swirl
And blouses loose and silk
I have let
My toes uncurl
And hair pour down like milk
I have unbuttoned and unbound
I’ve come unfastened
And unwound
And as I did I think I found
The woman who I am
The woman who I am

be tellin' me
I don’t like you tellin’ me
Not to talk so loud
An’ I don’t like you tellin’ me
Not to act so proud
Don’t tell me not to act so wise
Or tell me not to cut my eyes
An’ don’t say nothin’
‘bout my size Hey! Don’t be tellin’ me I don’t like you tellin’ me I can’t win the game An’ I don’t like you tellin’ me I ain’t got no brain I’m as smart as I can be I have a beauty you can’t see Besides, I have a Faith In Me So, don’t Be tellin’ Me

know my mind
I once was conversational But now I’m confrontational I used to know my meekness But now I know my mind I used to show the part of me Filled with insecurity But now the strength I find in me ‘S th’ self preservin’ kind And a saucy, sassy spirit’s what you’ll find Since I got to know myself, I know my mind.

wild women
I see wild women
Colorful women
Decadent women
Sparkled and baubled
Decorated and bedaubled
Glistenin’ and glowin’
Vibrant hues a-showin’
And those
Are just the colors
Of their hearts
These Sisters, they know
That the best people
Like the best ideas
Are sometimes
At first Rejected
But they have learn to turn unwanted
Into undaunted I see
Wild women
Something about their demeanor
About their steady gaze
And poised positioning
Lets me know
They can pick it up
And go on with it
No task too small
Or too large
These girls
They be in charge
The smile may be heady
But the shoulders are steady
In the eyes
There’s a prize
‘Cause these women
They wise
Wise women
Wild women
Ones who need to be loose
To be unrestrained
Break the tether
Shake it free
Let it bounce
And don’t worry
‘bout who’s lookin’, Honey!
These women possess
The contradiction
Of pyrometrics
And peace
Wired Wise
I see wild women!

mary alice ramsey is a writer, visual artist, teacher, wife and mother of four adults. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, a Master of Arts degree from Western Carolina University and is a National Board Certified Teacher of Art. A book of her poetry, entitled HARD HOOVED HUSSY, will be published in March by The People’s Press.