Quadrille – Dverse Poets
52August 1, 2016 by petrujviljoen
Text and image copyright PetruJViljoen
Man!
If you lived my life
you’d be furious too.
Endured what
I did,
you’d blow your top too.
If you had to take the flack,
daily,
I have to,
you’d be a
vociferous, strident, scared, screaming, frustrated, bored, thwarted, outspoken, cranky, FEMINIST too!
……
Linked to Dverse Poets for Quadrille. It’s an edited version of a poem I published back in 2014 to fit the 44-word format. I’ll link up to Dverse asap.
petrujviljoen 
You speak powerfully of a life of struggle. Well written.
Thanks!
I like this feisty approach to the prompt!
Thank you!!
I admire your ability to convey such emotion in so few words. Very powerful.
Thank you!
I’ve been mostly sheltered from what you describe but then again I am of the generation and part of the country that expected so much (or little, depending on perspective) of its women. But, I did grow into some better attitudes and expectations for myself and am in a better place than ever before.
It’s the second comment that seems to be under the impression I’m from a younger generation. I’m 58. Had to fight and claw my way out. Still working on it.
Well, I’m 65,so a little older and a child of the country and south. I’m sorry for your fight (and others) and know I have reaped the benefit of your struggle. So thanks
sometimes truths need to be told in its true and raw color however unpalatable they might sound…great job…
… and I thought I put it mildly … There’s more!
A bombastic bio, Petru! Quite an image presented!
Bombastic?
Your bio leaps off the page. There is surely passion there!
It is just, according to various online dictionaries it means ‘high-sounding but with little meaning, inflated.’ Thanks for apparently taking what I wrote seriously after all.
OK? Well done?
I’d like to express my appreciation of your support to this topic, both to this and previous posts. 🙂
You did succeed in this…communicating your angst in a stark, honest poem. Uncomfortable for me who loves to avoid confrontation but admires it in honest discourse. It speaks to a generational thing, I suppose, being raised by a war widow who drummed into me “happily ever after.” Well done.
Thanks Victoria.
Well written.
There is a story about Einstein I love…he apparently being dyslexic had a hard time learning and would act out. One day the teacher sent him home with a letter to his mother. He was anxious about the letter so his mother read the letter to him which in effect said – Your son is too brilliant for this school. It would be better for him if you sent him to a private school or educated him at home. he is a wonderful child. they had no money for private school so his mom taught him at home. Years later he learned what the letter really said – that he was a disobedient idiot and should be kept at home because he would be nothing but a failure. His mother loved him so much she lied about the letter. I’m sorry for such anger in your life and for such feelings but understand why. This poem cut to the bone.
I’ve heard the same story, forgetting now where or how! The school system isn’t always effective.
No it isn’t I can personally attest to that myself.
The school system almost destroyed a friend who is dyslexic. Luckily her parents had the wisdom to home school her and she’s fine now, yet still shy about the issue. Well done to you to have learnt to work around dyslexia so very very well. 🙂
Thank you Petru. My folks put me in a private Quaker school and schooled me at home as well. And this was in the days when dyslexia was thought to be part of a mental illness/retardation. I was blessed to have them and understanding teachers.
Ah man! It’s through the struggles to raise awareness by those who birthed us and came before us that we are where we are today! Well done to you and yours!
I so appreciate your honesty.
The first three lines are my favorites.
Thanks!
Oh, man! Love the energy of this rant! Bravo!
Thanks!
Wow, the man/men in your life cannot/should not be milk-toasts; hopefully your partner compliments your verve & energy level.
I’m single. I would imagine for obvious reasons.
Glen, I’d like to express my appreciation of your support to this and previous posts dealing with this topic. 🙂
I think my blood pressure rose a bit just reading this…that’s a lot to deal with, Petru!
I’ll consider it a job well done then! Thanks Gayle.
It was! 🙂
Words as survival … 🙂
I can relate!
I can see. Your poem and image cut to the bone.
I clicked on the link that you provided and it looks really interesting…I’ve saved it to go check out later.
There’s stunning stuff. I was amazed and gratified particularly by the sanity/clarity Marilyn Monroe displayed.
I’m going to explore it soon…thanks. I’ve read articles about Marilyn Monroe that described her as very intelligent and astute. She was no dumb blond!
No, indeed she wasn’t. Hollywood made her so.
The poet brings about anger in many people -the people who would prefer scientists for children who follow orders obediently. It’s the poets who shake things up as they should. In fact, it’s their purpose! 🙂
I’ve just been reading a few letters by Einstein last night – he pretty much shook up the world himself I think. Not only an intelligent man but wise too! Found it on http://www.lettersofnote.com/p/archive.html
Yes he did! He had a creative mind as well as a scientific one. Thanks for the link!
Whew….A wonderful introduction to you Petru. Thanks for sharing the image too, smiles.
blush … Thanks Grace! 🙂
Oh my!!!! You let it all hang out in those last words — I can feel the emotion and energy!!!!
Good! So do I – everyday. Thanks for hosting Lillian.
Wonderful words and wonderful image.
Thanks Claudia!