Sunday, May 4, 2014

Let's Give All the Tired Moms a break...

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ALL THE WOMEN I KNOW ARE TIRED

Dead tired

I see it in their strides
their slumped shoulders
their shuffling feet
as they drag themselves
through their tasks

I see it in their uncovered yawns
their dull expressions
the darkness below
their lusterless eyes

All the women I know
are weary, drained
unfocused
they stare into refrigerators
they stare out windows
they stare at papers
they try to remember
what they intended to do next

All the women I know
shower rather than bathe
drive rather than walk
phone rather than visit
They dream about
what they hope to do
when there's
time

All the women I know
are sleep deprived
up too early
down too late
rest-less
as they try
to get it all done

They can't get it all done
there's not enough time

All the women I know
are tired

Dog tired

especially during the holidays
because they love, they
shop and clean
cook and bake
wrap, decorate
send cards
invite
invite
invite

They're exhausted

especially those who go to work
especially those who go to work
and have children
especially those who go to work
and have old, ailing parents

All the women I know
fall asleep over teacups
in the evening
or over a book
or over the bills
or in front of the TV

All the women I know
believed the lie
drilled into them
in the 70's
that they could do it all
be it all
have it all

all what

all is nothing

when they languish
in their shoes

Maude Carolan


Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11th. Try to think of something you can do to pamper a mother or give a mother a break. What a blessing that will be!

The above poem won an honorable mention in the national Allen Ginsberg Poetry Contest.


2 comments:

  1. Dear Maude, This poem is wonderful. That is my problem…running out of time and trying to do it all. May this poem put joy and a smile in many hearts. Have a blessed Mother's Day.

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  2. Elaine, I was inspired to write this poem when I was working. Young moms would rush into the office after dropping the little ones at day-care and they would be so tired. I remember one woman who was at my desk. I thought she was going to fall asleep standing up. My supervisor used to say, "Tomorrow's another day." Women need to learn that. Happy Mother's Day to you, too!

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