Author: dancingpalmtrees

An African/Native American Queen, Wordsmith, Photographer, Free Spirit and Teacher.

Patina | The Daily Post

On By dancingpalmtreesIn Afro, Maya Angelou, Patina | The Daily Post, Phenomenal Woman, Rag’n’Bone Man, Uncategorized6 Comments

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/patina/

 

Patina | The Daily Post

 

I live in a country that despises and loathes the Patina of my skin color. In America where I’m judged by stereotypes and the majority has attempted to push me into a box. A box that I broke free from years ago. I refuse to be contained.

Your racism is your problem. Your deficit. Your jealousy barely contained. Your false sense of superiority and internal class war.

I celebrate my African heritage. My Afro hair. My full lips and My Dark Skin.  The Patina that God Blessed me with. I am The African Goddess. Sepia tones Reign Supreme.

 

 

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.
Maya Angelou, “Phenomenal Woman” from And Still I Rise. 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekly Weather: Dry

On By dancingpalmtreesIn Jennifer Nichole Wells, Tourmaline, Uncategorized, Weekly Weather: Dry1 Comment

 

https://tourmalinenow.com/2017/12/03/this-weeks-challenges-december-3-9-owpc-ww/

 

Weekly Weather: Dry

This challenge is all about…you guessed it…the weather. Each Sunday, a new topic begins. Share an image, poem, quote, drawing, etc. of an actual weather event, something that you do during certain weather, how that weather makes you feel – it’s all up to you.

Weekly Weather: Dry

 

 

 

 

 

Aging with Grace 

On By dancingpalmtreesIn Afro, Baby Boomers, Daily Post, DeBorah Ann Palmer, The Daily Post, Uncategorized20 Comments

 

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/age/

 

Age | The Daily Post

 

The Aging process is not for sissies. Everyone ages at a different rate. I never smoked and am only a social drinker. As many of you know I was in the U.S. Army for four years from November 1977 to November 1981. Then I was at my Peak Performance. I was in excellent physical condition. Actually from birth to age 48 my health was outstanding. I had amazing energy, could exercise without any problems, and received great doctor reports. The worst problems I had were some acne and menstrual cramps.

Then when I was 49 I had a mild stroke. Much of the vision in my left eye is gone. Pain is my constant companion. My digestive system has not worked properly in a long time. No more running up and down steps. The latest health challenges is I reach for things with my right hand and my entire right arm ignores me as well as now I have headaches almost every day.  Food allergies. 

Once I hit 50 Mr. Arthur Itis aka arthritis has been a faithful boyfriend. More any real life guys. Of course dating hits the skids after 50. Romance is only a distant dream kinda like being healthy.  However at my age a bed equals sleep. I’m tired 24/7/365. Mostly I blame menopause and genetics for my health issues. 

People tell me I look good for my age or they look at me in disbelief when I tell them I will be 59 Feb. 2018.  So even though my insides are falling apart my outside looks great!

Check out these photos from my younger and better days! Proud to be a Baby Boomer! 

 

Me and Dad
Me and Baby Brother December 1961
Baby Me 1959 & Lamb
Little Me December 1961

 

Now here is what I currently look like. Feel like crap but still looking good. Oh yeah some light makeup helps.