It was such a pleasure to attend part of the launch party for the anthology: Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women. What a reminder that poetry matters. Telling stories matters. So a huge thank you again to Ingrid Wilson and Gabriela Marie Milton for gathering voices from all around the world to share their experiences. I have two poems nesting inside with so many other great poets.
You can listen to a recording of readings from the Anthology here on youtube. The poem below is not in the anthology, but it came to mind during the readings, so I decided to share it again today. I wrote this poem many moons ago as I was just beginning to understand what it means to be a mother, and I hope you enjoy it.
Mother of Serving Ware
Mother of serve ware,
matriarch to our mouths,
why are you neglected?
Repeatedly unselected?
Banished from backyard barbecues,
daily table settings,
and afternoon picnics?
Why is your roundness rejected?
Is it because you cannot
stab or slice?
You cradle instead of castrate;
ladle and entice
instead of twist and gyrate.
Do we so soon forget
our move from breast
to sucking on your surface?
The way you lovingly mix
mushy meals?
Mother Spoon,
now kitchen maid,
you stir our sour lemonades,
scoop our last suppers,
slave out indulgent desserts,
only to make a guest appearance,
an afternoon delight,
to the main courses of life.
Subordinate to forks and knives.
Weaned from function,
to formality,
to our own finality.
Perhaps, it’s that we see our
own reflections in your face,
you feel too basic for use,
but too nostalgic to replace.
© 2014 | K.Hartless
Yard Sale of Thoughts 
Lovely! Afternoon Delight, something I haven’t had recently…
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😊Yes, well, it’s a much overlooked time of day, and I say we all do our part to rectify this.
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Wonderful poem, K! Hope the launch all went smoothly & hope the publicity goes well in the coming weeks 🙂
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Thank you kindly, Tom. I think I’ll start that an Amazon author page and keep envisioning that row of novels with my name on the spines. 😊
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Hope your dream manages to blossom & bear fruit – self-publishing’s been a fun journey for me too! ❤
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Yes, it’s one thing to write the stories and quite another thing to learn how to publish them. Surely going to be a learning experience for me as I query my first novel this fall.
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I’m sure you’ll do a fab job. Really flattered you were interested in my historical anthology too – hope it’s an immersive collection!
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It was lovely listening to all your recitals on YT – huge variety of subjects! Hope you enjoyed the big get-together. 🙂
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It was a bit nerve-wracking, for no reason. I’m lousy at social gatherings, but I did enjoy the poetry. Thank you for listening in, Tom. 💜
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I’d be very self-conscious about hearing my own voice played back to me, which is why I’ve never tried story recitals myself – you’re far braver than me to showcase your work like that 🙂
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It is strange, but rewarding. I’m sure your fans, me included, would love to hear a story read aloud.
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Thanks for the vote of confidence 😉 Big mental hurdle to jump that nervousness, but I’m sure I’ll get there someday! ❤
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Indeed. A speed bump, nothing more.💜 We’ve all got them.
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Amazing poem, K. 💕💕💕
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Thank you kindly, Grace.💜
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My pleasure 💕
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It was great to hear you read, K., and what a wonderful poem you shared just now. I really identify with the sentiments you express here!
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Thank you, Ingrid. You did a marvelous job hosting today, and I so enjoyed hearing your poem read aloud. Congratulations on completing this project. You have so many talents, friend. Enjoy this moment of success, as it is so well deserved. 😁🪶🎉
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The alliteration in the third stanza is amazing, as is the entire poem, K. Powerfully weaved, with an important message. I missed all of you today, and am so glad to hear that it went splendidly.
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Thank you. I love the idea of this poem. It was a special reading today, and one of my firsts. You were missed, friend.
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You’re welcome, always. I love it too. I got to watch some of the readings earlier, and will watch the rest this evening. Super special. Oh, thank you, my friend. I missed all of you.
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This is beautiful, K.Hartless ❤
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Thank you kindly, Sunra. I appreciate you taking time to read and leave me a comment.
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I am so looking forward to the video, and love this moving poem you share here!
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Thank you.😁
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