Poems with Anab: Femininity Explored in Poetry - Part 2

Femininity is a broad topic. It, as Walt Whitman may describe, contains multitudes.

Rupi Kaur seemingly has dominated the modern feminist poetical experience, so her poems will remain a resounding force in this continuing poetic series.

“we all move forward when
we recognize how resilient
and striking the women
around us are.”
- rupi kaur

“i want to apologize to all the women
i have called pretty.
before i’ve called them intelligent or brave.
i am sorry i made it sound as though
something as simple as what you’re born with
is the most you have to be proud of
when your spirit has crushed mountains
from now on i will say things like, you are resilient,
or, you are extraordinary.
not because i don’t think you’re pretty.
but because you are so much more than that.”
- rupi kaur

“we are all born
so beautiful

the greatest tragedy is
being convinced we are not.”
- rupi kaur

“you tell me
i am not like most girls
and learn to kiss me with your eyes closed
something about the phrase—something about
how i have to be unlike the women
i call sisters in order to be wanted
makes me want to spit your tongue out
like i am supposed to be proud you picked me
as if i should be relieved you think
i’m better than them.”
- rupi kaur

“other women’s bodies
are not our battlegrounds.”
- rupi kaur