PoetryChallenge Entry

Tenacity

It's not for the weak

Rachelle AllenSeptember 9, 202623 views

I was bred to be tenacious

("You can't fail if you don't give up.")

In the early years, I was 'stubborn.'

("No more bottle, please; just a cup.")

As time went on, my insistence grew

("I can do this on my own.")

I cleaved from you and soon declared,

"Okay, I'm now full grown."

Off to seek my fortune then

("You know I'll keep in touch.")

I worked and learned and worked some more

("Success requires so MUCH!")

"We didn't raise a sissy," you said,

So I kept going strong

And set my dial to "Don't Give Up"

And good things came along.

Thanks to you, my dreams came true

("Don't lose sight of your goal.")

You bestowed in me what I needed to see:

Of success, only I had control.

Reviews (1)

Katharine Folkes

9/28/2026

The Words That Got to Me

"I can do this on my own." "I was bred to be tenacious ("You can't fail if you don't give up.") "We didn't raise a sissy," you said, So I kept going strong "Don't lose sight of your goal." You bestowed in me what I needed to see: Of success, only I had control.

Heavens, Rachelle, you certainly knew your own mind at a young age. I have always admired tenacious people--tough, resilient, adventurous, unafraid. Bravo. However, "We didn't raise a sissy" ? Would you call that tough love? Self confidence is a marvelous thing. I do think, to some degree it is inherited. You are a leader - thus a teacher, plus a gal of many amazing talents. I think they all sit well upon your shoulders from what I know of you. And again, I say, bravo!

Rachelle Allen

9/28/2026

Oy, Sucha sweet tawkuh!! Thank you from the bottom of my over-achieving heart. And, in answer to your question, YES! I was DEFINITELY raised with "tough love." And I'm proud of that. There was no "gentle parenting" going on in the Saxman house. (Are you familiar with that term: "gentle parenting?" There is the MOST hilarious video of it that I saw the other day. Three little ones (four-year-old's, I'd say. Maybe five, but definitely no older) were talking on a log across water!! They were still close to shore. You hear the "gentle parent" say, "Suzie and Johnny, that doesn't seem like a good choice. That looks like it could be dangerous. Please come back to shore where it's safe." Suzie and Johnny look at the mom (who's obviously holding the camera) and then at each other, and continue to walk on the log and get further from shore. Then you hear the voice of a woman who's obviously NOT a proponent of Gentle Parenting, shout, "YOU KIDS GET YO' ASSES OFF THAT DAMN LOG THIS MINUTE BEFORE I COME OVER THERE AND WHOOP YOU BUT GOOD!!" All three get these horrified looks on their faces and dash as fast as their little legs will carry them back to shore. It's too perfect! "Discipline" does not mean "to punish," it means "to teach." My father always said, "If you discipline your children in private, you won't have to discipline them in public." I raised my daughter the same way, and she's a dynamo, too. (You plant corn, you get corn.) Thanks for this lovely review. xoxo