Her labour
Salty finger tips cling to aching wrist.
Pumping elbows,
hang from cliff hanger shoulders.
Taut chords strangle the hardened neck.
Delivering a weighty head
through brain blowing tedium.
Leaves tangle and soak her skin.
Cool on cheeks, all hot from google alerts.
Eyeballs tense and dry, wanting to weep.
But the heart says gently;
Only hours now, only minutes,
to flashing furzelight freedom!
And you will rise,
high into the layered mist.
For International Women's Day, March 8th, 2013
I never write "poetry" but yesterday, overwhelmed by work, I sat down on the floor exhausted and wrote these words. I called it "Her labour" because it was about work but as I read it back I realised it was also about birthing and liberation. Not sure what "poetry" is exactly but it kind of sounded like a poem to me.......
Such lovely rods and a wonderful photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you:~)
Deleteand she soared - beautiful - caroline
ReplyDeleteJust like you soared:~))
DeleteSuch a beautiful poem. The strength of it gives me my own strength back. Now I think of it, that's as good a definition of poetry as any.
ReplyDeleteLove your definition of poetry, and I so am heartened by your reading of it, thank you:~))
DeleteLovely poem, very evocative, very strong. Thank you for sharing it with us. Great photo of the heron - my favourite birds (except of course when they eat the fish in our pond). Philippa xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Wendy! I live side by side with this beautiful creature, no pond, just a nearby lake!
ReplyDeleteYour words are so beautifully strung together, :-)
ReplyDeleteAnyes I really appreciate that today, thank you:~))
Delete~ Magnificent image and words ~
ReplyDeleteKerri thank you so much, that means a lot to me:~)
DeleteYes, still we labour too much. But sharing eases the burden and inspires others. Great processing on the image too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mairead, not being a photoshop user I have been beginning to consider how processing can bring another element to it all.....another learning curve!
DeleteTrust the unconscious mind. Whether it was about work..or about the more global concepts of liberation - it's beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteYes trust the unconscious mind.....that's about it.....and scorn the fear!!
DeleteFabulous picture..."Eyeballs tense and dry, wanting to weep" describes many days of hard labour in my job
ReplyDeleteI know that Donna, I'm looking forward to you and your wings coming to rest on solid ground very soon, thank you:~)
DeleteBeautiful words, thank you, if poetry is words that stur then this is definitely poetry!
ReplyDeleteAha! Thank you!
DeleteImpeccable post! The words ring true and are melded to the graceful and powerful image.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Deb, those words are ringing in my ears:~)
DeleteLove the image...Love the words...thanks for sharing your poetry and talent!
ReplyDeleteVery kind of you Marilyn:~)
Delete