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