Enigma #poetry #woman #MondayBlogs

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Judith Barrow

As some of you may know, as well as holding creative writing workshops I also tutor creative writing for the local council. Tutoring adults can be rewarding (discovering wonderful writers), chaotic (my lesson plans are rarely followed – someone will inevitably take things off at a tangent) hilarious (the undiscovered comedian/ the completely unaware comedian) and thought-provoking (especially with memoir writing and poetry) I’ve kept promising to share some of their work. Here is a thoughtful piece of free verse poetry, written by Trish Power

In the beginning:

Woman

Is an

Afterthought;

An off-cut

Of rib.

1917

Woman

Has no

Vote.

A chattel

Trapped in

Relentless

Domesticity.

1957

Woman,

Given by

Her father,

Pledges to

Obey

At the altar.

1967

Woman

Drinks from the

Poisoned chalice

Of permissiveness.

Prude or slapper

Jack the lad.

2017

Woman

Cracks

Glass ceilings

Occasionally.

Tables turning,

Upended.

Man

Vulnerable

Now.

As a Woman

I cheer

The Rightings

Of abusive

Wrongs.

The safety net

Growing

Underneath.

But as a Woman,

Anxious

At the

Blurring between

Friendship and

Lust.

A Woman

Welcoming

Kindness

In touches,

Supportive hugs,

Compassion

In a hand on

Shoulder.

A Woman

Who doesn’t

Bridle at

‘My lovely’ or

‘Pet’,

I want to be

Safe,

Not detached.

Feel friendship

Without fear.

Keep predators

At bay.

Keep companionship

Alive.

If Woman is

Enigma

So are

Her problems.

hands

40 thoughts on “Enigma #poetry #woman #MondayBlogs”

jessiecahalin on November 26, 2017 at 11:01 pm said:

The power of words!

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- Judith Barrow on November 26, 2017 at 11:02 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Jessie. Trish will be so pleased with your comment.x
  
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- trishthetrout on November 27, 2017 at 7:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much for taking the time to give me such a boost! (I’d have replied sooner but WordPress seemed to have taken against me…)
  
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  - jessiecahalin on November 27, 2017 at 9:30 pm said:
    
    You are welcome! WordPress is fickle! Ironically, it presses words so much that it you can’t find them.
    
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  - Judith Barrow on November 27, 2017 at 11:26 pm said:
    
    Indeed, Jessie.
    
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Marcia on November 26, 2017 at 11:31 pm said:

Thought-provoking, evocative, and touching. I enjoyed it very much, and how lovely that you are having such a direct impact on new writers! 🙂 ❤

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- Judith Barrow on November 27, 2017 at 8:48 am said:
  
  Thank you, Marcia. Good of you to drop by. Trish will be thrilled by your comments. Having been offline I’ve realised today I have so much to catch up on. Hope all is well with you. ❤
  
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  - Marcia on November 27, 2017 at 4:19 pm said:
    
    Still digging out from under Hurricane Irma. Framers are putting up new trusses for the garage roof today. We’re hoping the new roof and all repairs will be finished by Christmas, but that’s probably pushing it. Other than that, all is well, here. Good to have you back again! 🙂 ❤
    
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  - Judith Barrow on November 27, 2017 at 6:02 pm said:
    
    It’s easy to forget the repairs go on and on when one is away from all that damage, Marcia. Hope you will indeed be straight by Christmas. ❤ x
    
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- trishthetrout on November 27, 2017 at 7:08 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Marcia – Judith understates it when she said I’d be thrilled at your comment! I know I’m very lucky to be on Judith’s course.
  
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  - Marcia on November 29, 2017 at 9:22 pm said:
    
    I loved the poem, Trish, and I’m glad knowing that made you feel good. (I always feel great when someone likes something I’ve written, too! It’s just about the best part of it all, isn’t it?) Keep up the great work, and much good luck to you! 🙂
    
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  - Judith Barrow on December 6, 2017 at 4:05 pm said:
    
    Thank you so much, Marcia. Trish is a talented lady! ❤
    
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  - trishthetrout on December 6, 2017 at 5:45 pm said:
    
    Bless you, Marcia, for taking the trouble to add that lovely message, particularly in view of the ongoing problems with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Hope all’s safe and cosy well before Christmas!
    
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Teagan R. Geneviene on November 27, 2017 at 12:58 am said:

A lovely choice to share, Judith. Hugs!

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- Judith Barrow on November 27, 2017 at 8:45 am said:
  
  Thank you, Teagan, Not been around lately, so now trying to catch up with all my online friends. Glad you liked Trish’s work
  
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- trishthetrout on November 27, 2017 at 7:11 pm said:
  
  Love the name, Teagan, and really boosted by your kind comment. Thanks! Trish
  
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lindasbookbag on November 27, 2017 at 8:33 am said:

I loved this!

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- Judith Barrow on November 27, 2017 at 8:43 am said:
  
  Thank you, Linda. I’m so glad. Having been offline for a while I thought I would come back with someone else’s writing. I have some talented students and am very proud of all the hard work they put in. x
  
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- trishthetrout on November 27, 2017 at 7:13 pm said:
  
  I’m so pleased at the positive response. You always feel a little insecure exposing your personal thoughts to others but this kind of feedback is so encouraging. Thanks!
  
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Judy E Martin on November 27, 2017 at 2:29 pm said:

It must be such fun (as well as hard work), teaching adults creative writing, Judith. You have some very talented students if Trish’s poem is anything to go by! 🙂

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- Judith Barrow on November 27, 2017 at 3:16 pm said:
  
  Thank you,Judy, it’s great fun. It always surprise me how much talent lied dormant in so many – and hw many never get published. Lovely to hear from you. ❤
  
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  - Judy E Martin on November 27, 2017 at 6:44 pm said:
    
    Oh. I am still around , Judith…lurking! 🙂
    
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  - Judith Barrow on November 27, 2017 at 6:45 pm said:
    
    I don’t think you a have a’lurk’ in you, Judy. LOL ❤
    
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- trishthetrout on November 27, 2017 at 7:14 pm said:
  
  Lovely comment, Judy, and I have to give Judith credit for creating such a productive and nurturing atmosphere in her class. Thanks, Trish.
  
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  - Judith Barrow on November 27, 2017 at 8:17 pm said:
    
    Of which you are a valuable member, Trish.
    
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  - Judy E Martin on November 28, 2017 at 10:22 am said:
    
    You are welcome Trish, and it doesn’t surprise me that Judith is o encouraging and supportive 🙂
    
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dgkaye on November 29, 2017 at 5:12 am said:

A powerful poem indeed. This is the rebirth of woman time! ❤

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- Judith Barrow on November 29, 2017 at 8:42 am said:
  
  Thank you, Debby. I’m very proud of Trish. x
  
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  - dgkaye on November 29, 2017 at 3:20 pm said:
    
    I can see why! 🙂 xx
    
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trishthetrout on November 29, 2017 at 9:03 am said:

Thanks you so much, Debby – it really gives a huge boost to my confidence to see such generous feedback. 🙂

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lorraineambers on November 29, 2017 at 9:25 am said:

Fantastic piece, thought provoking and powerful,

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- Judith Barrow on November 29, 2017 at 1:38 pm said:
  
  Thanks Lorraine. Always lovely to have students’work on my blog.x
  
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Sara Gethin on December 6, 2017 at 2:45 pm said:

Wonderful poem by Trish, Judith. What fabulous talent there is out there – thank you for sharing!

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- Judith Barrow on December 6, 2017 at 4:05 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Sara. See you Saturday.x
  
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- trishthetrout on December 6, 2017 at 5:36 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much for the positive comment, Sarah. It means a lot to me. Trish
  
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thedarkstargirl on January 3, 2018 at 10:01 am said:

Your blog is beautiful. Really genuine and fresh ❤️Also, I started a blog which features and promotes writers from all over the globe hoping that people could connect through it . I would love to feature your work there. Credits will be given of course. Would love to hear your response. Thanks. Sending you love ❤️

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- Judith Barrow on January 3, 2018 at 10:05 am said:
  
  Thank you, I would be happy to be part of your blogs
  
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  - thedarkstargirl on January 3, 2018 at 10:07 am said:
    
    Is there any specific piece you want to feature or can we choose anything? Also, what do you want in the credits?
    
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