art Henri Matisse
It's Woman's Work
He rushed past the threshold
With barely a glance back
No concern for his son’s lost shoe
Or his daughter’s missing “my little pony”
It’s woman’s work
And he need not bother
He works hard, he explained
But went to great pains
To catch a game
He was important, you know
Above menial chores
But he would soon learn
The cost of his absence
Could not be repaid,
Ever, amen
And the perpetual woman’s work
Came to an end, left undone
When the love dried up
Only a fool assumes she will forgive
Without appreciation for the little things she did
Like a kettle overboiled scalding his heart
The scar will remain long after she departs
Memory of her holding their son,
Or kissing a boo-boo,
Vivid and clear
Woman's work endeared
Many years later
The lonely man advises the younger,
"As you pass the threshold
Remember to glance back
For you never know
Which day will be your last"
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Mabel Kwong
August 14, 2024 at 5:51 amWhat a wonderful poem. Well written and the rhyming is very clever. Sometimes you don’t know what you have got until the times and others have moved on. It sounds like the man had his chances but was focused elsewhere. The woman, well, she probably enjoyed what she could and then took the leap and found more enjoyment elsewhere.
Hope you are having a good summer, Lisa. It is lovely to visit again 😊
lisa
August 16, 2024 at 12:40 pmHi Mabel, thank you so much. Very good summation of the poem 🙂
Summer has been going fast! Hope you’ve stayed warm in your winter season. I look forward to reading your next post.
LA CONTESSA
August 1, 2024 at 9:16 amTHIS IS HEART WRENCHING!
DID YOU EXPERIENCE THIS?
XOXO
lisa
August 1, 2024 at 3:31 pmHi LA CONTESSA. Yes, it is. It is especially for HIM.
Balroop Singh
July 31, 2024 at 6:23 pmWhat a beautiful poem, so well written, Lisa!
My heart goes out to the woman who carries the memories of a home she tried to make so loving. I know such men know in their hearts what they’ve lost though their arrogance never lets them admit. When they advise to “glance back at the threshold,” they are admitting their defeat, they are berated by their guilt but time has slipped out of their hands!
lisa
July 31, 2024 at 7:48 pmThank you, Balroop, nice to see your smile. Yes, painful on both sides. A little appreciation goes a long way, is my thought. “Arrogance never lets them admit”–well said. Agree with your perception of the last verse, Balroop. xo
DG Kaye
July 31, 2024 at 5:37 pmVery profound Lisa. Men could learn from this. 🙂 xx
lisa
July 31, 2024 at 7:49 pmThank you so much, Deb. I almost didn’t publish it. Not sure I can say why but I’m glad for the positive response.
Kevin
July 31, 2024 at 12:17 pmHi Lisa — powerful poem — I wonder, with trepidation. what Carol’s poem would be… I was/am a present and engaged father and husband… but Carol did the lioness’s share of the menial household tasks and child care… I wonder.
lisa
July 31, 2024 at 7:44 pmThank you, Kevin. Hmmm, hard to know what she would say but it sounds like you did (are doing) a lot right.
Jeff
July 31, 2024 at 10:38 amPowerful. I’m sure this will hit many men hard and hopefully make a few change their ways. It reminds me of Cat Steven’s song, “Cats in the Cradle.” Are you going to send this poem to a certain VP candidate in the States?
lisa
July 31, 2024 at 11:41 amThank you, Jeff.
Yes, the Cat Stevens song is a great comparison and I’m flattered you thought of it.
Oh, LOL. What a fab idea…