Mad Love

Editorial Note and Poem
By Wanda

In place of a commentary, this week I decided to write a love poem about the men in my life. Although I like to write poems, I usually dont share them outside of my intended inspiration. But I have received several comments from individuals questioning my attitude towards men. So since I have not made my position perfectly clear in my commentaries I thought a creative work could shed some light on the subject. This is not my best poem, not even close, but it expresses my deepest sentiments for these indivduals. Please note: This will not be a regular occurence, I will return to my diatribes against sexism next week :-) - Sincerely Wanda

To The Men I Love(d)

To the men I love(d)
How divine you are
For you are made in His image
And our love confirms the enormity of His love

The very essence of a man sends me on a spiritual high
His walk, his presence and the very sound of his voice
The men I love(d) have made me come alive
Pull me out of the mundane, routine, rhythmic pace of life
And placed me into a transcendent space of where the divine only exists

To my Daddy,
You shaped my view on life and my faith
I’m your baby girl, the apple of your eye
And although you’re gone
I sometimes feel your presence
And the comfort of your unfailing love

For DJ, we were young and in love
We gave our hearts for what we thought would be forever
Or at least as much as forever could be at age 21
Although it didn’t last it was true love
Or the purest love of all….. Young love

To Eug-IV and BDH,
You are my friend, my companion, my confidant
It’s your perspective that brings balance to my Female world
It grounds me in what’s real
You have gone into the deep waters with me
Although we don’t always see eye to eye
Your love, friendship and compassion has kept me afloat

And finally to my dearest of kin, my blood, my co-conspirator in this world
My brother,
Myron your name means a fragrant balm, a sweet oil
And that you have been to me… healing, protection and comfort
As your little sishta
You scared away the boogie monster
And enacted lively bedtime stories until I fell asleep
As your grown sister
I find safety and security within your presence, your voice
And your beautiful letters of love
That always seem to appear in my mailbox at the perfect time

We have an inextricable bond
We share in all things
Disappointments and Triumphs
Your pain …is my pain
When you found love… I found love
Your happiness… is my happiness

Your undying love has motivated me to higher educational heights
My diploma is your diploma
Without your unfailing love and faith in me
The fulfillment of my goals would not be within my reach

To the men I love(d)
How divine you are
For you are made in His image
And our love confirms the enormity of His love


A Response to "Mad Love"
by Cantice

What to say? I didn't think Wanda needed to respond to the suggestions by some men that she was a bit of a man-basher. As men and women continue to read what Wanda writes, they will grow to know her more, just as I have. On the other hand, what Wanda was provoked to write reminds us of the integral roles men play in our lives: fathers, husbands, brothers, friends. It is always good for me to be reminded that we belong together. And even more important, that without the respectful interaction of the sexes, neither of us reaches his or her full potential. So in the immortal words of Claire Huxtable, Wanda, you have "let the record show..."