Welcome Poetry Friday: In the Mourning & A Call to Gather

POETRY FRIDAY IS HERE! 

Thank you for stopping by. Today, I am honored to host the community that continually inspires me.  Please find the Mr. Linky below to wander the Poetry Friday posts and/or to add your poem to this week's roundup. 

Today, I offer...

In the Mourning

On my walk,

I think of two women

I sit between in time:

The Grandmother,

who ran her home like a business.

and The Granddaughter

who, someday, may run her own.

I bury my face,

in hands that know the work,

after witnessing

another woman,

qualified, steady, competent,

brushed aside.

I want to run into my house,

bolt the door,

never go out again

to meet the eyes

of other women

who sold the dream 

for pennies.

But my grandmother,

who lived in a time that kept her from

the job she wanted,

her own money,

her own home,

whispers - no, shouts - in my ear,

"There is work to do."

My young granddaughter

is watching from my lap,

she saw the warrior woman,

head strong, heart open,

stand, and

with great strength say,

"I will not concede the fight."

In the mourning,

the sun still rises 

painting a picture of hope.

For these two women - 

one of my past,

one of the future -

I must stand up,

dust myself off,

and get back to the work. 

© Cathy L. Mere, 2024