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.
Jae Rose
May 29, 2011 at 5:20 pm
‘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
May 31, 2011 at 7:23 am
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
May 29, 2011 at 5:55 pm
“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
May 31, 2011 at 5:49 am
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
May 29, 2011 at 6:13 pm
I really enjoyed this commentary of women and their lives. Really good job.
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 7:18 am
Thanks, Cyn, and thx also for stopping by! I’m going to run over and see what you’re up to. Peace, Amy
vivinfrance
May 29, 2011 at 6:33 pm
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
May 31, 2011 at 7:18 am
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
May 29, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Powerful, Amy… I really like the first stanza.
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 7:14 am
Laurie, I thank you. I know it was a different kind of “flock,” and I’m glad it held up. A
James Steerforth
May 29, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Poignant! And I particularly liked the rhymes in the last stanza.
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 7:11 am
Thank you, James. I’m so glad you like this! Amy
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 7:11 am
Thank you, James. I’m so glad you like this! Amy
christine
May 29, 2011 at 9:34 pm
Very sad ending line, but I see it all the time.
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 7:09 am
Too often, right? Thanks, Christine. Amy
Berowne
May 29, 2011 at 10:31 pm
“Wives are wives, gathered in hives,
And single mothers lead separate lives.”
Terrific, Amy, just terrific.
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 7:06 am
Berowne, sorry I’m late in commenting, but thank you so much. Seems resentment stirs some deep poetry in me…
Roger Green
May 29, 2011 at 10:54 pm
obliquely, what I’ll blog about in about 5 months
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 7:00 am
Hmmmmmm….. What up, brother?
Artswebshow
May 30, 2011 at 1:39 am
The nature of society in general.
There are always hives of wives gossiping. lol
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 6:18 am
You said it! I’m coming over to see your blog now. Thanks for coming by, Amy
pmwanken
May 30, 2011 at 4:08 am
Oh, I love this, Amy! Not only “single mothers”, but “singles”!
Well done!
~Paula
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 6:17 am
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
May 30, 2011 at 4:24 am
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
May 31, 2011 at 6:17 am
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
May 30, 2011 at 4:51 am
I really enjoyed that!
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 6:16 am
Thanks, Mad. I’m posting a limerick next, so you are an inspiration! Amy
Tilly Bud
May 30, 2011 at 6:16 am
This sounds like bitter experience, Amy. Have you been a single Mom?
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 4:53 am
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
May 30, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Oh this is so true. I love this poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
May 31, 2011 at 4:18 am
Thanks so much, Sherry! A
pamelasayers
May 30, 2011 at 3:46 pm
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
May 30, 2011 at 10:16 pm
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
May 30, 2011 at 7:43 pm
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
May 30, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Well, at least Web-wise, you are among friends here, Grace. Thanks so much! Amy
Altonian
May 31, 2011 at 5:39 am
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
May 31, 2011 at 5:50 am
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
May 31, 2011 at 1:21 pm
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
June 1, 2011 at 3:25 am
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
May 31, 2011 at 6:22 pm
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
June 1, 2011 at 3:13 am
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
June 12, 2011 at 1:32 pm
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
June 11, 2011 at 3:11 am
I’m with you, sister! Amy