jedst1 Poetry (1)

If you can find a man when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you …
If you can trust a man not to screw around (ever)
But make allowance for your doubting too;

If you can laugh and not be tired at laughing
at things that are not crude,
Or, being manic, can be brought to normal
by talk, and love, and even sometimes, food;

If you can bear to hear the truth well spoken
and face the consequences and the pain
Or, listen long to triumphs, and disasters
And treat those two imposters just the same.

If you can love a man who’s strong in mind and body
and loving him can let him still be free,
Or, watch him braiding hair of little children,
and hold them close, yet no perversion see.

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve a man who makes a fire, and fights for what is right.
Or, being stopped by him from heading for disaster,
can turn and thank him for his courage and his strength.

If you can give a man the space to cook and iron
and never breathe a word about his skill,
And feel secure for ever in his presence
and trust his self-control will never fail.

If you can love a man who’s kind and gentle
Who sometimes fails, and isn’t always wise.
Or love a man with heart and soul and body
a man who’s touch and spirit always satisfies

If you can love with passion and abandon
and keep your virtue—nor lose the common touch;
If neither men nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can forgive the crass unthoughtful moment
With understanding, grace and mercy from above
Yours is the Man and everything that's in him,
And - which is more - you'll be a Woman my love

with apologies to Rudyard Kipling