Here’s to the women

Here’s to the women who rise early to raise their families and a little hell.

Who knead dough, and earn their coin.

Who dance around the kitchen, but never the truth.

Who wear the pants, and the skirts, in whatever style they choose.

Here’s to the sweet women and the salty ones; those who like to spice things up and those who like to calm them down.

The gems who offer the pearls without clutching them; who sparkle in any setting and let others shine too.

The ones who sign the note, cede the remote, soothe the throat and vote

and vote

and vote.

Here’s to the women who raise us.

Who set the table and the bar; stir the pudding and the pot; melt the butter and the hearts.

Who sew the buttons and sow the seeds.

Who steal the covers and cover the ground.

Here’s to the women who say the prayers, take the dares, peddle the wares, make repairs, braid the hairs, offer the cares.

The morning joggers and down doggers; pickle ballers and signal callers; lane drivers and deep divers.

The ones who sip the coffee without spilling the beans.

The flower arrangers and world changers.

Here’s to generations of every nation.

The women who shouldered the burdens and on whose shoulders we stand.