Strength

when you told me that I was strong,
I asked myself what that would mean:
was I strong like a banyan
propped up by its many roots
that stand long after the tree is gone?
was I strong like a blade of grass
curved and pressed to the earth
by the soles of your heavy feet,
only to rise again after you have passed?
or was I strong like that little flower
who nodded her head
to every passing sunbeam and storm?