The housewife scurries around
Somewhat proud but defensive of her unbelonging
Chores are executed with a silence
Broken only by the songs of Perry Como … lingering in each room.
xxx
The Irish housecoat placed this play
In deference to a mother
Still struggling in a Limerick
Trying to throw out the ashes of poverty
xxx
Poor is not a word spoken lightly
In the cottage
For it brings memories
Of both hunger and shame
xxx
Shame being the saddest of all
xxx
Concealed like rising damp
The coldness and breathlessness of shame
Remains clinging to the singing
Ever ready to explode when exposed by gossip or chit-chat,
provided by the willing neighbors.
xxx
So the cover-up continues
Until a new life
In the Irish cocoon at the cottage
Completes my womb-like isolation
xxx
Until we are …
Separated from both worlds
And the words of Perry Como
Dominate and dress the landscape
xxx
Of us all, in hiding from both worlds
