Strong Women

In the first stanza;

"...rocked my first red anger through the night."

is an example of -

• Personification

• Simile

• Imagery

• Metaphor

Why does the poet repeat the same line at the end of stanzas 1,3,5 & 6

"Strong women teach me courage to esteem."

• Strong women her you to be fearful

• Strong women teach her to build her self esteem

• Strong women teach her that courage is too dangerous

• Strong women teach her that self esteem is overrated

What does the following comparison in the poem mean -

"To stand alone, like cactus, persevere"

• Independent women prefer to stand alone

• Independent women don't like to be around other people

• Like cactus, independent women can be prickly

• Independent women, like cactus don't depend on much to flourish

What is the following line an example of -

"when cold frowns bite my bones and doubts incite."

• Hyperbole

• Alliteration

• Metaphor

• Personification

Why does the poet repeat the same line at the end of stanzas 2, 4 & 6?

"Some women hold me when I need to dream."

• Strong women are only there for you some of the time

• Strong women are always there to comfort you at all times

• Strong women are worried you may have a nightmare

• Strong women are only available at night time

What do the following lines in stanza 2 mean -

"They walk beside me on dark paths I fear.

guide with gold lanterns: stories they recite."

• Strong women are always walking right next to you

• Strong women like to tell stories

• Strong women need a lantern to get through dark paths

• Strong women and their past experience help guide and protect you down the right paths

What does the following line in stanza 4 mean -

"They watch me stumble on new trails I clear."

• Strong women allow you space to create your own paths no matter what trials you may experience

• Strong women don't allow you to make mistakes

• Strong women love to watch you fail

• Strong women are impatient and don't have time for error

What does the following line in Stanza 4 mean -

"In hope, feed me their faith, and warm delight."

• Strong women can quickly lose hope and faith

• Strong women lack strong hope and faith

• Strong women want you to figure things out on your own

• Strong women provide hope and faith every step of the journey

What does the following line in stanza 4 mean -

"In their safe arms, my visions reappear:

skyfire voices soar, blaze, night ignite."

• When you lose confidence, strong women hope a hug will help

• When you lose sight of your dreams, strong women light a fire beneath you to reassure you that you can do anything you set your mind to

• You can only chase your dreams if you're in the safe arms of a strong women

• When you lose your way, strong women will raise their voices to help you find your way back.

What do the following lines in stanza 6 mean -

"They sing brave women, sisters we revere

whose words seed bursts of light that us unite."

• Strong women love to sing their favorite songs

• The songs and stories of our female ancestors help light the way and keep us all connected

• Strong women are brave when they sing

• Strong women only look out for each other