Rules For A Daughter Poem by Randy McClave

It's okay to cry when you get hurt
But, then wash your face, your honor don't desert,
Pick yourself up off the floor when you are done
You don't belong there, your life has begun.

You are a woman, remember you don't need a man
Remember and know this, that alone you always can,
But, with a good man you can absolutely enjoy your life
As a girlfriend, or partner or even a wife.

Happiness is never, ever a permanent state
While wholeness always is, there is always sadness and hate,
But, please don't you ever confuse the two
And a mother's love is forever, which is always true.

Always be alert and aware of your surroundings
Your senses and your wit should never be groundings,
Life sometimes seems like a lying cheating bout
And remember, the expression can't - is just a cop-out

Remember your not Rebecca, Joan, Bertha or Carolyn
Look in the mirror, be your own Heroine,
If you can't smile with you eyes, then don't fake a smile
Your sense of inspiration you should never rile.

Stay true and honest unto yourself, always
Even when you come across those long lonely days,
Remember a person in life comes and uses his own tools
Remember this also, your body and your rules.

Never with your opinion sit and and give a sigh
Have an answer always, and always know the answer why,
And as a woman who might endure in designs and fashions
Always practice your passions.

Never be afraid to ask what you need or want
If not that need in your mind will always haunt,
Never feel your mind with doubt or insecurities or woe
The worse anyone can say, is "No".

Wish upon the stars
Never upon glasses in the sinks or on the tables in bars,
Then feel your soul and mind with zeal
Make your wishes happen, make them all real.

Stay as sweet as you already are
Become that unopened needed candy bar,
And always speak with your honesty and the truth
Then everyone that meets you, will have a sweet tooth.

Always be polite whenever the situation happens or does occur
Always be that gracious her,
"Please", "Thank you", and "pardon me"
Should be a part of yours, and everyone's social dictionary.

Always say your sorry, but only when you truly are
With your true emotions, you should never argue or spar,
Question everything as life sometimes is a long tidious mission
But, never question yours (a woman's) intuition.

You are always amazing, no matter what anyone else might say
If someone or anyone says your not, turn around and walk away,
No man or person is your debtor,
You deserve better.

No matter in the world where you might roam
You are always wanted and welcomed home,
Sometimes "no" is the luck (either good or bad) that life might bring
Remember your roots, and your family is everything

Mean what you say, and always says what you mean
That is part of your gene,
Be kind to others and treat others how you want to be treated
Never from hospitality or kindness, should you be unseated

These are the important rules for you my daughter
As important as is love and life and water,
In doubt remember whose daughter you are, and never frown
Always smile at all, and then straighten your crown.

Randy L. McClave