Women, Woman
In a sea of Marthas
She remained the Magdalene
Neither wanton, nor wayward, still
different, misunderstood
Her gestures of sisterhood
looked upon as threats by
the many married mommies
who kept their men on short leashes, well-heeled
Had they taken time
to listen to her thoughts
How she cared for their town
How she admired their ability to maintain stability
They might have warmed to her
But women are women, and
wives are wives, gathered in hives
And single mothers lead separate lives
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For Sunday Scribblings (“Flock”) and my poetic home, Poets United.
Sharp Little Pencil 
Jae Rose
‘gathered in hives’..stinging like bees..but bees only sting once..strong women are clever..they spread their strength..and don’t misuse it in anger or haste..strong words Amy..would always want to be in your flock! Jae
Sharp Little Pencil
If I had a flock, you would be my first choice for Fellow Flocker! (Wait… that came out wrong…!)
Thanks, Jae, for the phrases you picked. Bees may only sting once, but my best friend is allergic and almost died, so I guess I give them more credit than most…
Altonian
“Whar ya bin gal?” This is a thoughtful and telling observation of mindless bigotry. After all is said and done, a mother is still a mother – which is a noble and honourable insitution.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for this, Leigh. I wrote you an email about “whar I bin” so you can keep “abreast” (ha ha, mommy joke) of my doings. I love what you said about mothers, because I feel the same way. Peace, Amy
Cyn Bagley
I really enjoyed this commentary of women and their lives. Really good job.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Cyn, and thx also for stopping by! I’m going to run over and see what you’re up to. Peace, Amy
vivinfrance
An interesting line you have followed here. Of course there are many reasons why parents are left single-handed, and we may not judge anyone (lest ye etc). You have written a thought-provoking poem.
Well-heeled in UK English means well-off, rich. Is that the same meaning in American English?
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, it means the same thing. One of the good expressions we retained from our British roots!
Thank you for a thoughtful comment, Viv. I know you really read things deeply, drink them in, and it’s much appreciated. Amy
Laurie Kolp
Powerful, Amy… I really like the first stanza.
Sharp Little Pencil
Laurie, I thank you. I know it was a different kind of “flock,” and I’m glad it held up. A
James Steerforth
Poignant! And I particularly liked the rhymes in the last stanza.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, James. I’m so glad you like this! Amy
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, James. I’m so glad you like this! Amy
christine
Very sad ending line, but I see it all the time.
Sharp Little Pencil
Too often, right? Thanks, Christine. Amy
Berowne
“Wives are wives, gathered in hives,
And single mothers lead separate lives.”
Terrific, Amy, just terrific.
Sharp Little Pencil
Berowne, sorry I’m late in commenting, but thank you so much. Seems resentment stirs some deep poetry in me…
Roger Green
obliquely, what I’ll blog about in about 5 months
Sharp Little Pencil
Hmmmmmm….. What up, brother?
Artswebshow
The nature of society in general.
There are always hives of wives gossiping. lol
Sharp Little Pencil
You said it! I’m coming over to see your blog now. Thanks for coming by, Amy
pmwanken
Oh, I love this, Amy! Not only “single mothers”, but “singles”!
Well done!
~Paula
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s true, Paula – all the marrieds think we want their guys!! And usually that means some man with a beer gut and more! ;’)
Debbie
Great one, Amy. Just the right feel to it. And I remember you discussing the background to this before. Many knew just what you experienced!
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s an all-too-common tale. Old Altonian paid mothers a huge compliment elsewhere in the comments on this one – check it out! Thanks, Debbie. A
Madeleine Begun Kane
I really enjoyed that!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Mad. I’m posting a limerick next, so you are an inspiration! Amy
Tilly Bud
This sounds like bitter experience, Amy. Have you been a single Mom?
Sharp Little Pencil
Separated and later divorced Riley’s dad when she was a toddler… didn’t remarry until Lex and I hit it off. Riley was about nine and told me Lex and I should get married. I didn’t complain then, and I will probably never complain about her good judgment!! But for about six years, I was on my own, no child support to speak of. It was hard, but she’s a great young lady.
Sherry Blue Sky
Oh this is so true. I love this poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Sherry! A
pamelasayers
Oh yes they do, Amy. I was a single mother for quite a few years. I can relate to this very well. Thanks.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
I mean, you’d think they would WELCOME a mom who would love to have their children over. I even helped coach the softball team – and was the only mom to do so. I still have a bad knee from getting slammed with a line drive while pitching underhand to the girls!! Trying not to swear was the hardest part!!
Thanks for the affirmation, Pamela, I share your memories in so many ways. My baby comes for a visit tomorrow! Two whole weeks! Amy
Grace Walker
I like it, and though I’m a married mom, I do so much with my kids alone I often feel like a single woman. And i often wish people would get to know me.
Sharp Little Pencil
Well, at least Web-wise, you are among friends here, Grace. Thanks so much! Amy
Altonian
Can’t understand what is happening this week, am having trouble posting comments all over the place. I was the first to comment to you, but it is still awaiting moderation !! Anyway – I said that your poem was a thoughtful and telling observation of mindless bigotry, after all is said and done, a mother is a mother – which is a fine and noble institution.
Sharp Little Pencil
Finally caught up to your first post. Sent an email to your explaining situation. All is well, and again, thank you on behalf of moms everywhere for that lovely compliment. Peace, A
Henry Clemmons
Oh ys they do. Thank God for single mothers. Great write.
http://henryclemmonspoet.blogspot.com/2011/05/dreams-soar-free-in-colors-high-waves.html
Sharp Little Pencil
God is hearing a lot of praise for single moms this week, judging by these responses. I’m so glad I did the best I could… wish I could have done more or better, but who doesn’t? Most important, my daughter and I are friends as well as mom and daughter, so that’s a bonus. She’s 22.
beespoetry
Great stuff that we can all relate to, I think.
My dad bailed when I was eight, and my mom did it basically alone for many years (aside from when her brothers moved in to help out; my uncles are pretty great), and my siblings and I have turned out rather well- much better than we would have had my dad stuck around, most likely.
I don’t understand why some people have to get down on single parents- they do a crazy amount of work, between bringing home the bacon solo and staying involved in the kidlets’ lives.
Sharp Little Pencil
Too bad a lot of single parents choose trying to find their next marriage over their kids. So many moms I know in particular are desperate for love, hanging out in bars, sleeping with guys who should not be anywhere NEAR their kids… that plus the old saw about “welfare mums” being leeches (not simply down on their luck and needing a hand to provide food and clothing and shelter for their kids), and single moms end up with the worst rap. God, I hated those years, but I stuck it out and in two hours will pick up the results at the airport… she wants to stay two whole weeks!
Sharp Little Pencil
Yes, Bee, it has been a struggle at times, as we both have our issues, but she is at heart still the coolest young woman I know… well, ONE of them, hee hee. We went walking about yesterday, had coffee, picked up her new glasses, the whole bit. Lots of fun, girl time. Thanks, Bee. Love, Momskas
Sharp Little Pencil
I’m with you, sister! Amy