Serving – a Pantoum
8August 6, 2017 by petrujviljoen
Serving the shoppers, subservient to the boss
her God passed judgement , her husband is her master,
her head bowed in shame, her sin she’s a woman
she worked the whole week, standing on her feet
Her God passed judgment, her husband is her master
at his desk the whole day now he sinks into the armchair
she stands at the stove now at least in her slippers
her head bent in service her bane she’s a woman
At his desk the whole day now he sinks into the armchair
children clamouring, father may I! Go ask your mother!
she stands at the stove at least now in her slippers
Mother! Mother! We’re hungry! Mother what’s for dinner! Mother!
Children clamouring, father may I? His retort, go ask your mother!
her shoulders sag her feet are burning a new line on her face is forming
mother mother we’re hungry mother what’s for dinner? Mother!
she’s so tired she’s nearly crying. Yelling at the children, Go and play!
Her shoulders sag, her feet are burning, there’s a new line on her face
serving first the coffee to her husband, sitting, busy, reading his paper
she’s so tired she’s nearly crying. Yelling at the children. Go and play!
he looks at her sternly, shakes his head then his paper, sinks a bit deeper.
Serving first the coffee to husband sitting, busy, reading the news in the paper
husband, the drain, husband the garbage, husband the garden, husband the children
he looks at her sternly, shakes his head then the paper, sinks a bit deeper
she turns away, back to the kitchen, clangs the pots and the lids, starts screaming
Husband, the drain! Husband, the garbage! Husband, the children! Helpmate!
her God had judged her, her husband is her master, she knows no other
in the kitchen she starts screaming – then turns away.
dealing with the drain, she turns away.
Powerfully done. I would hope there is less of this than once was.
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It’s not about me. I’m determinedly single on account of the content of the poem!
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Not every man is like that. They can be, for sure. But I understand.
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Thankfully I do know not all men are like that. Just got used to my solitude and it became non-negotiable over time. 🙂
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Ah well, I’m sure it has its advantages. I think I’m too much of a people person; I would have to do sleep-overs if I wasn’t married.
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Much laughter this side of the world. Be well Charley and bless you.
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And you… and you!
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THANK YOU!!
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