Woman-Fed.
On sun-honeyed cottage walls another day
knocks and ousts from beds frock-flouncing
mothers to awaken offspringing snores of
bread-winning others.
As whinny of Spring shakes petal-drop on
frothy-green trees unravelled sheets leave
sweaty bodies, crumple floor-wards then
stretching sons wriggle toes before yawns
mist the windowed morning.
Kitchened in throb of breakfast-sizzle old
dog squints at dawn and whimpers when
moved by white-aproned bustle, hobbles
outside for nature's call as whining kettle
chatters for hob-balckened pot and brown
tea rouses a cobble-clogged rush to scoop
buttered bread-chunks in pockets for late
morning mid-labour nibbles.
Day offers no wind as man-feet splash mud
in pooling slop along early streets, stopping
to rub bleary eyes and fasten old coatstrings
before reaching tar-skewered beached craft,
close-roped for action swabbed decks ready
to heave toward big breakers.
Olden-day clippered sails, ocean harboured
held large holds of battened-down business
for woman-fed boat-men, hand-sluiced and
home-made-clad lads handled hauled cargo
best in whisper-tide waters.
Decades ago hard living meant mothers held
ropes together at home and gave no heed to
complaint from fine-weather seekers but set
zealous fire under all lazy dalliance whether
it's son, father or daughter for behind every
morning lay day's vital matters.
Praise be for unrivaled female dedication to
family survival at hearth-side or sea.
-
Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: May 20th, 2019 01:32
- Comment from author about the poem: The cover of an old Cornish recipe book reminded me of the position a good wife and mother held back in the hard days of yore. Hope you enjoy.........
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 32
- User favorite of this poem: ANGELA & BRIAN.
Offline)
Comments10
A good Cornish write and scene Fay.
My thanks to you Orchi - - - so pleased you like a good Cornish write.
Wonderful taken for granted days of yore. You give initially a really warm, comforting 'home' feeling. A place my childhood memories rely upon as the bedrock of security and love, all as i said, taken for granted.
As you will know, the scene is not totally gone as there are a minority of homes similarly managed by a mum.
Really a warm and enjoyable read bringing to mind my mum and her devotion to me and my siblings.
so pleased the read raised warm memories my friend. Nothing better than devotion from a caring Mum.
What a trip, I should of packed some sandwiches!
Always a delightful read
Yes a journey indeed Dan - - back to the days when families had to pull together to keep food on the table -- so glad you found the read enjoyable.
yes... I reckon them were the day, when men were men and many of the women too were, or rather filled the rolls and role of men... forget vacuum packed and ready meals, you can beat an egg but ya can't beat the age of muscle and steam.. This is a brilliant work Fay.. thoroughly enjoyed and no kiddin.... Neville
Yes women were tough as men when waking the family to daily work and of course there are many such females today on whom the life's momentum depends - - warm thanks Neville for your in-put and more so to my poetic efforts.
pleasure..
Oh yes this takes me back to my wonderful gentle Mum who was filled with love and was so adept in the kitchen with good old fashioned food. Thank you Fay for invoking the memories.
Ah - so good that you were taken back to a childhood of love and care dear friend........... Mums then knew their measure and worked hard to keep food on the table for labouring families.
Love this Fay
There hasn't been a time when women were lesser than men in my mind
My dad came from Arbroath (The smokies)where there are stories of the women who carried the men out to their boats in the morning to save them being wet all day.
This reminded me of them.
Wonderful tale and tribute piece BRAVO!
Wow - - women carrying their menfolk out to their fishing boats - what a wonderful story of way-back- then - - they and many others need all the tributes and medals too say I........... so pleased you were reminded of things good to remember dear Andrew and thank you for this warm and informative comment.
BRIAN here ~ Thanks FAY for another GEM fashioned in the ingenuity of your Mind. The COOK BOOK looks Early 20th Century and reflects (My MOTHERS memory) of my Maternal Great-Grandma (b. 1900) ~ The scales ~ the range ~ the Milk Jug etc ! Life was much harder in the early 1900's but in many ways was less stressful before WW1 (1914 - 18) over 1OO years ago ! Few peple had mortgages or owned a petrol driven vehicle ! Travelling by Pony & Trap must have been more soothing & less polluting. No TV etc to worry one ~ wholesome food and plenty of exercise ! The value of close Extended Families etc etc. You paint a real but in some ways an idyllic picture ~ very NOSTALGIC ! All Families up & down the Country ~ were in fact WOMAN FED from the Cradle to the Grave ! Thanks for sharing & caring !
Blessings & Peace & Love
Yours ANGELA & BRIAN 🧡🧡🧡🧡
Grateful thanks Brian for your analysis of the verse and for the reminders of the value of closeness in families back then........... Mums were and are worth their weight in pure gold and more and deserve all the tributes poets compose. Hugs to you both.
Men were good at one job, women had to manage the household no matter how many pittance were in her frock, and they did it with a smile, thus she was the master.
Nice subject well detailed.
Grated thank yous dear Suresh - - yes those were the days back then when women worked at keeping household momento going warm and clean beds, homemade comforts and a tasty dinner at the end of each day.
Much much more than that, a lover, a child bearer, a mother, cook, housekeeper, therapist, chauffeur, friend, party organizer, organizer, and money, staff and household manager. I classify these as individual activities where she had to be proficient.
Maybe there is a poem with all these words that you pen can justify.
Another lovely Cornish write - have you ever had star-gazey pie??
Yes Seren - I certainly have had tasty star-gazey pie - - we wont tell the others though that the topping of fish have heads and eyes left in tact and they gaze at the eater as that might put some people off this succulent dish. Thanks for the big smile at your comment.
Super memories of times of yore, those mums really kept the families together.
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