I was introduced to Kate Bush while spending countless hours in the Pendle College JCR. During winter break, while traveling solo from Lancaster to Mycenae and back again, she kept me company. It's hard to describe what her music meant to me, 20 years old, winding my way south through Europe, more truly alone than I'd ever been in my life.
Although the true meaning behind the song applies to something completely different, when I was first diagnosed with leukemia, knowing, even then, that I'd write about it someday, I carefully transcribed the lyrics to This Woman's Work inside my journal.
I know you have a little life in you yet.In a different context, in a different kind of hospital room, I would sit on the edge of my bed, holding my Walkman loosely between my legs, hitting stop, rewind, play, stop, rewind, play. Over and over. Thinking that I should be crying, but I just can't let it show.
I know you have a lot of strength left.
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.I should be crying, but I just can't let it show.
I should be hoping, but I can't stop thinkingOf all the things I should've said,
That I never said.
All the things we should've done,
That we never did.
All the things I should've given,
But I didn't.Oh, darling, make it go,
Make it go away.Give me these moments back.
Give them back to me.
Give me that little kiss.
Give me your hand.
I would like you to know that i am 28 years old with 2 kids and this is one of the most powerful songs that i have ever heard. I knew i had heard it when i was younger , and then again in the movie"love and basketball" which lead me to buy the maxwell cd with the song on it. I love maxwell as a singer anyway and he just brought me to tears leasing to it. whenever things in my life are going bad or things look bleek for me i sit in the bathtub and play this song over and over again sing each word , and crying till i truely understand that i can make it and i have the power to make a change and start over another day, i thank you for these inspiring words and your courages story.
love, michelle washington