With International Women’s Day upon us, what better way to celebrate than reading some of your favorite poems? And when it comes to women in writing, I personally think Rupi Kaur perfectly captures the beauty and essence of being a woman. From her poems on the sacrifices of her mother to the personal barriers she has faced, she continues to empower women and acknowledge that life has not been the easiest for us. So, here are the Rupi Kaur poems that become even more beautiful every time I read them:
- “on days I could not move it was women who came to water my feet until I was strong enough to stand it was women who nourished me back to life”
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After reading this poem all I could think about was how girls support girls. There are so many instances, some small and seemingly insignificant, where women have been the force to bring back strength to others. Women who refuse to see others fail and give their strength so that those around them may succeed. I can attest to this, growing up surrounded by women who always supported me, reminding me of my capabilities when I felt helpless. S,o for International Women’s Day, just remember that not only are you strong enough to do whatever it is you put your mind to, but there are also so many women in your corner rooting for you and not willing to give up on you.
- “We all move forward when we recognize how resilient and striking the women around us are.”
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As I said before, the strength of a woman is unmeasured, and recognizing that fact is probably the least we can do. Women have continued to persevere through barriers no one should have to face, whether it be in their workplaces or homes. And the voices of these women represent a special power that women hold, the ability to fight for themselves even after generations of oppression in a world that was built to operate against them. Not only do these women take a stand for themselves, they stand for everyone, women past or present who haven’t found their voices but deserve the same life as the rest of us. The power of a woman is unmatched because, on top of her physical strength, she obtains the mental and emotional strength to face all of life’s hardships.
- “what’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? that since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. it’s the world that convinced her she did not.”
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Now this one is my personal favorite, something I find myself going back to time and time again. It’s easy to get caught up and just deem myself someone who is not fit to complete a certain task, but that simply is not true. As women, we are all we need. Everything you ever wanted can be accomplished because of who you are. We don’t need to wait on someone to make our dreams come true. We don’t need to rely on others to give us self-love. A woman is everything she will ever need.
- “I stand on the sacrifices of a million women before me thinking what can i do to make this mountain taller so the women after me can see farther.”
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Hitting close to home with the current politicization of women’s bodies, this poem helps us recognize that even with how far we have come, we need to continue building so that the women after us can have a better future. We need to fight for them just like the women before us fought for our rights. This poem reminds me of how strong and selfless women are. To not only fight for those living amongst them but to remember those who come after and the suffering they might bear if institutions refuse to accept women’s rights. Through our constant perseverance, we have built a mountain that will not be broken.
- “he says you’re opinionated as if it’s an insult to have ideas so big he chokes on the size of them.”
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I want to remind every woman to take up space in every place that she deserves to be in, to never back down just because she’s facing a million men, to never change her thoughts in order to conform to others and to never ever lose her voice because it is her most powerful weapon. It is with our voices that we continue to fight for change, the same voices we use to call out others and the very voices that comfort others in their hardest times. Your opinions are valid and deserve to be heard. You are not an emotional little girl for expressing your happiness and pain in ways that are fit for you. Don’t be apologetic, please continue to be whoever you are and fight with the strength of women for hundreds of generations.
These poems highlight the most persevering qualities of women. From lifting each other up in troubling times to advocating for their peers, sisters and children, women have put up a hell of a fight and continue at it every single day. They find the strength within themselves to voice the opinions that should be heard and fight for the positions they deserve. To every woman out there, don’t back down and let these poems serve as reminders of your strength.