The Poetry Marathon

When you were a child

and the wind howled

and the trees rustled

and the dark was scary,

who did you seek out for comfort?

Were they there like Atticus?

He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.

(Last line from “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, 1960)

Little girls, you are told

YOU SHOULDN’T BE ALONE

(You’re too small!)

The Girl becomes a Woman who becomes a Wife…

The indoctrination of need begins your life.

Young women, you are told

YOU SHOULDN’T BE ALONE

(You’re too needy!)

The Girl becomes a Woman who becomes a Wife who becomes a Mother…

Young lady, this will be your life.

Older women, you are told

YOU SHOULDN’T BE ALONE

(You’re too frail!)

The Girl becomes a Woman who becomes a Wife who becomes a Mother who becomes a Grandmother…

M’am, this was your life.

What if we change that narrative

And the daughters of this world are told

YOU ARE ALL YOU NEED

(You’re enough!)

The Girl becomes a Woman who becomes…

You define your own life.

He showed up one morning in my front yard.

You could tell from his looks life had been hard.

He was a hairless pup that was naked and afraid.

His skin was weathered, no attention was paid.

A sweater I took from my own dog’s collection.

He looked up at me with canine affection.

After food and water his tail did start.

Wagging away and stealing my heart.

He licked my hand and curled up at my feet.

It was time for him to lay there and sleep.

He slept on the porch in the rays of the sun.

I went inside to get some work done.

I checked on him throughout the day.

Curled up in his sweater he did stay.

I decided to place a notice on Facebook.

Just in case his owner would look.

A picture was needed so I got my phone.

I went to the porch, but I was alone!

Off he had gone; he was on his way.

I truly thought he was here to stay.

I hope he enjoyed our time together.

I’m sure he looked cute in his new sweater!

Where will I be when I am not

here

in this light

in these days?

Will I have done enough

here

with this heart

with these hands?

What imprint will I leave

here

on this family

on these loved ones?

If time has no end,

Will I?

Hi, I’m Maggie! This is my first Poetry Marathon, and I am so excited to participate! Let’s see what the next 24 hours brings…