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
To
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.
© Trish Power 2017
The power of words!
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Thank you, Jessie. Trish will be so pleased with your comment.x
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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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You are welcome! WordPress is fickle! Ironically, it presses words so much that it you can’t find them.
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Indeed, Jessie.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Thank you so much, Marcia. Trish is a talented lady! ❤
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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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A lovely choice to share, Judith. Hugs!
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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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Love the name, Teagan, and really boosted by your kind comment. Thanks! Trish
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I loved this!
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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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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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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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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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Oh. I am still around , Judith…lurking! 🙂
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I don’t think you a have a’lurk’ in you, Judy. LOL ❤
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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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Of which you are a valuable member, Trish.
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You are welcome Trish, and it doesn’t surprise me that Judith is o encouraging and supportive 🙂
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A powerful poem indeed. This is the rebirth of woman time! ❤
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Thank you, Debby. I’m very proud of Trish. x
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I can see why! 🙂 xx
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Thanks you so much, Debby – it really gives a huge boost to my confidence to see such generous feedback. 🙂
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Fantastic piece, thought provoking and powerful,
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Thanks Lorraine. Always lovely to have students’work on my blog.x
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Wonderful poem by Trish, Judith. What fabulous talent there is out there – thank you for sharing!
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Thanks, Sara. See you Saturday.x
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Thanks so much for the positive comment, Sarah. It means a lot to me. Trish
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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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Thank you, I would be happy to be part of your blogs
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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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