People might try to make you feel
Inadequate, not good enough, try to steal
The limelight from you, downplay
Your achievements, take away
The credit from you- make every effort to find
A chink in your armor, play games with your mind
Until your strong nerves start to fray
Your confidence starts ebbing away..
*
As a woman accomplished and independent
You are likely to face this predicament
You have nerves of steel, you think
Yet you might be brought to the brink
Of doubting yourself because you’ve been
Subjected to gaslighting in ways both obvious and unseen
You start wondering something is wrong with you
What you thought were your strengths appear weaknesses too..
*
You are a strong woman and you should not be
Affected by criticism of your work that easily
By the time your realize the other person’s intent
The damage has been done to a great extent
It had started with comments innocuous
Laced with slight insults, nothing worth making a fuss
You did not realize what was going on there
Until the situation seemed beyond repair
*
As a woman, you have to keep your cup
Full to the brim, find those who build you up
Let no one steal the thunder from you
You are in control, and that is true
Passion...unbridled 