Eve by Valerie Parente
I am every woman
who came before me.
Every moment they sacrificed
carved out a space
for my dreams.
I am every moment
a woman is believed.
Every truth they told
lays the foundation
that sets me free.
I am the truth
flawed as it may be.
Every mistake a girl makes
we feel empathy
all the way back
to our first girl, Eve.
– Valerie Parente (3-13-2026)
Let Your Hair Down by Valerie Parente
If there is such a world
that buries women in the ground
for letting their hair down
let my sisters see the light of day
when a tornado comes their way.
As they feel the movement in the air
tell my sisters, don’t be scared
that rush is just the feeling
of the wind in your hair.
– Valerie Parente (3-3-2026)
WOMAN by Valerie Parente
What is it about the female body
that makes you squirm
and throw a censor
over what should be the norm?
Because we’ve been taught to hide
veil
block
deny
then they wonder why
we harbor shame inside.
There is nothing inherently wrong
with simply existing
but to exist in the physical form
we must ask for permission.
Our body has the power
to wreak havoc on earth
and they made us believe
that is a curse
but it’s actually a gift
that in doing nothing we cause a stir
it is actually a gift
to be a WOMAN in this world.
– Valerie Parente (10-4-2023)
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