Stopped by my local branch of the EPA,

Wanted to see what made the endangered list this day,

Womanhood was posted near the top,

It was once strong--but was starting to flop,

Contributing factors were: selfishness, pride,

Feminism, anger, bitterness, non-contentment--who could decide?

Put down the endangered list and grabbed my keys;

Hold on tight brothers, these lines will breeze!

Now, how can womanhood get off life support?

(Some sisters already getting mad with my report)

Don’t need new laws, or books by PhDs,

Don’t need focus groups, or celebrities--Please!

Don’t need ‘Daughters at Work’ or ‘Sons Alone’;

Don’t need to lecture about Mothers at home.

To get womanhood off the endangered list,

More women will have to become something they’ve dismissed!

A Lady!

Brothers, you’ve read the rants from sea to sea,

Women anxiously telling men WHO they need to be!

Chiding single brothers from the church to the shop,

Stalking married brothers--some should really stop!

If women want womanhood to be respected and stay;

BE a LADY--and don’t play!

Some sisters may have ‘crashed’ the glass ceiling,

But in their quest--many have ‘lost’ common sense, revealing,

A whole new level of drama, plus

Drinking, cussing and fussing that would shock their Grand mamas!

What IS a Lady?

A woman of class, without a lot of sass--That’s what a Lady is!

A woman who knows how to dress, and stays away from mess;

That’s what a Lady is!

A woman who is not prone to gossip;

A woman who can speak volumes with a smile;

A woman who won’t throw herself at any man--for a one-night stand,

That’s what a Lady--IS!

She may be housewife, clerk, secretary, or CEO,

Who has not thrown her femininity out the door;

Staying away from the shady enhances Self Esteem in a Lady,

Especially other women with mischief on their minds;

If she’s married--to her husband she’s a treasure,

To her kids--she’s respected forever,

If she’s single--she knows that a Lady never whines!

A woman who doesn’t think that church is a joke,

That’s what a Lady is;

A woman who knows how to keep off liquor and dope;

That’s what a Lady is!

A woman who can keep all secrets confidential,

A woman who can be trusted, and not been busted.

A woman who knows that Proverbs 31 was not written for fun,

From its teachings she never runs,

That’s what a Lady IS!

A woman who knows how to laugh at life’s turnarounds;

That’s what a Lady is!

A woman who is a joy to be around;

That’s what a Lady is!

A woman who is upright, and seldom uptight;

A woman who can state her case without cussing,

And who doesn’t run the streets at night.

A woman who respects Father and Mother,

And won’t OPENLY ‘disrespect’ another;

That’s what a Lady--IS!

A woman who’s moral--who seldom quarrels,

That’s what a Lady is!

A woman who won’t bed--until she is wed;

That’s what a Lady is!

Now, you may call me an ‘old man of tradition’

And, you can fuss, fume and wail all day.

But to get womanhood out of its endangered condition,

I hope more than a few will listen;

More sisters need to become Ladies--TODAY!

© 2003 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications International

MIKE RAMEY is the author of THE MANHOOD LINE. A monthly, syndicated column written for men from a biblical, business, and common sense perspective. The column appears on fine websites throughout the world. Emails welcome to manhoodline@yahoo.com. ©2003 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications International (2).