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

The housecoat protects

and identifies

The work of the mammy

xxx

Affirming an annunciation

To serve others

And God through them

xxx

I dislike housecoats

Not for their purpose

Which alone is fair

xxx

But for their disposition

As servants are of God alone

xxx

All else being of man

Is the end of the line an abrupt stop;

Or a screeching, H1 pencil.

When the pain comes in from those who dislike you,

Or what you have done,

Or seems you had done;

The fork in the road rushes up.

xxxx

To vilify and engage in debate,

Shredding their argument,

And then their clothes;

Until they are left naked, and your work is done.

xxxx

Or listen and pray,

Perhaps then, we might hear what is behind the words,

The critiques, the noise,

And learn what is in their heart.

xxxx

Which may tell us what is in ours.

Into the darkness,

As the evening draws near,

Smothering the day with her extinguished light,

Calling us to rest.

xxx

Or reflect on the day past,

And a sleepless night ahead.

Into the darkness,

As the evening draws near,

Smothering the day with her extinguished light,

Calling us to rest.

xxx

Or reflect on the day past,

And a sleepless night ahead.