Oh to know how closely she can venture
before the wrong words can escape
before the truth can hide
talking off the top of your head again
well just see how far you can get again
when the last thing that you want tonight
is to lie alone in your bed again

Oh to be a woman of resilience
who can take the punches and the swings
and still have arms for warmer things
able to put a quick retort aside

Oh to move as easily as she through life
who is joyful in her triumph
and is patient when denied
justify the rules of the race again
you think you've got an open shut case again
but the first thing that you're going to find
is your dreams blowing up in your face again

Oh to be a woman of forgiveness
where the times that count are the times that be
and she faces each one separately
holding a grudge is the fast thing on her mind

Oh to feel as free as she of burden
who has sorted out what's worthy kept
and can leave the rest behind
doing good's whatever you say it is
you've got to tell the people the way It is
but what good is that if your feeling's going to change
change along with what day it Is

Oh to be a woman of a calm heart

© 1982 By Ilene Weiss