Woman

There is no

word for her that stands seperate,

he-she, he-her, man-woman,

male-female.

In the beginning

it takes two.

According to rough vernacular,

he plows and plants,

she is earth-mother.

 

However, he is but an instant.

 

Then, it is her secret within,

to kindle and cup

fragile tha-thump, tha-thump,

feel the stretch of awakening,

to agonize and birth;

to agonize again and again,

beside but alone

again in darkness,

until the door slams.

 

Yes, it takes two to strike sparks,

but only one

to cradle the fire.

Reviews

[JohnL]

Beautiful - well written with the metaphor and reasoning thought provoking but not so obscure that its meaning is not plain to see.
The sparks struck, the kindling and cupping period over, the sequel commences - the fuel gathering, the keeping of the fire within bounds, the companionship that forms a healthy warmth and glow. Surely this requires a sequel - to be one of a pair? Any chance you might write one? Mother/Father. The answer to many of the world's problems - two parents? Forgive me but I prattle, though I'm sure you see what I mean. Not a criticism - just a request for more.
JohnL

[Dizzy-Izzy]

'beside but alone
again in darkness,
until the door slams.'

This part is so intrinsically mothering, does that make sense to you? I like the word intrinsic(ally) can I define it here? It's a thing with me... it helps me put my thoughts together and see my favorite words in new ways...

Intrinsically:
1 a: belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing b: being or relating to a semiconductor in which the concentration of charge carriers is characteristic of the material itself instead of the content of any impurities it contains
2 a: originating or due to causes within a body, organ, or part b: originating and included wholly within an organ or part.

I am feeling the slamming door these days... for a mother that door can be ominous don't you think? When it is slammed by her parents if new life is no cause for celebration... when it is slammed by the father of her child(ren) and it echoes desperation. When it is slammed by her teenager in frustration. When it is slammed by her husband in the martyrdom of unfair obligation... I'm sorry. Your piece is just beautiful and my comments tend to go off in strange directions. I only comment on work I feel deeply and this I felt very deeply. Thanks

Kristina

[JW Thompson]

lovely ----

[Leah]

i loved it!
amazing