A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:
One old love she can imagine going back to
And one who reminds her how far she has come.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:
Enough money within her control to move out,
And rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:
Something perfect to wear if the employer
Or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:
A youth she's content to leave behind.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:
A past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:
One friend who always makes her laugh,
And one who lets her cry.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:
Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
And a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE:
A feeling of control over her destiny.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
How to fall in love without losing herself.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
How to quit a job,
Break up with a lover,
And confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
When to try harder
And when to walk away.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
That she can't change the length of her calves,
The width of her hips,
Or the nature of her parents.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
That her childhood may not have been perfect
But its over.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
What she would and wouldn't do for love or more
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
How to live alone
Even if she doesn't like it
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
Whom she can trust,
Whom she can't,
And why she shouldn't take it personally.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
Where to go
Be it to her best friend's kitchen table,
Or a charming inn in the woods
When her soul needs soothing.
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:
What she can and can't accomplish in a day.
A month,
And a year.
--MAYA ANGELOU
