Onnatachi (Women)
Mao Abe
Text

The pain behind these smiles, these occasional helpless tears
and our anger that’s just made light of, turn it all into strength

While always smiling I want to treasure and foster
that part of the me who loved you that allowed me to continue forward again even if I collapsed

Our voices still aren’t taken seriously by society but
digest it all with our naturally open hearts

If it’s clear tomorrow we’ll tell you about today
In our usual laughing voice
We’ll laugh it all off, even the reason for the tears we bore

Do I want approval by someone or am I living for myself
We sometimes feel like we don’t know but even so we’ll continue on

Like the waxing and waning of the moon, we’ll gather a little confidence as we change
Our hearts that have only been wounded will fertilize the earth again

I’ll be able to fully forgive also for the pain felt yesterday so
the cruel scars will also become a treasure that colors me

Women don’t need armor, we’ll cast off the rot and continue on

If I can meet you tomorrow I’ll tell you about the things that wore me out yesterday
Watch carefully, ‘cause if we cry our eyes out
we’ll show you that we can soar higher than ever before

If it’s clear tomorrow we’ll tell you about today
In our usual laughing voice
We’ll laugh it all off, even the reason for the tears we bore
© Shane D. Anderson 2015. All rights reserved.