This poet certainly hears no grudge against men. As she recalls, when she was in the prime of life and romantically active her relationships were often the marvel of friends and acquaintances for their helpfulness, even temper and affirmative focus.

“Do you treat each other this well all the time?” was a frequently asked question.

The answer was always the same:

“What other way is there to be?”

This seemingly effortless state of mutual support actually resulted from the poet’s careful and loving ongoing tending of both partner and relationship.

Now that she has reached a time of life at which her health calls a permanent halt to romance, she has no problem at all leaving that whole can of squirmy worms well behind her!

*****

Recorded Reading (2:44): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7613zk6n2gf089su3h4n2/In-Joy-Able.mp3?rlkey=ir20y9m80en42msy7i29o7kfi&st=7uly6j2q&dl=0

*****

In Joy Able

My dear, you very sorry for me feel
I see it in the kindness of your gaze
Husbandless life doth not to you appeal
You want companionship through all your days

I hope you have it! Hope your partnership
Is everything you desire it to be
With strawberries I hope Champaign you sip
And on every important thing agree

Truly, I hope the satisfaction’s yours
Which for the trouble taken there you seek;
One whom the solitary state abhors
Of happy partnership should get to speak!

Myself ’tis needful waste no pity on,
Although I thank you for your sentiment ~
The sweets which in good solitude are won
Are those precisely which for me seem meant

I eat only whenever hungry am
The dish which suits best my personal taste
Afterward clean but one plate, thank you ma’am
Where precious little food need be replaced

Do I not feel like speaking much today
Conjecture in of Muses’ myst’ry lost?
I may allow my preference full play
Nor see insecure partner pay the cost

Never enveigled to give up my book
To lie in bed and stare the ceiling at;
Small urge to be comparing how I look
To everything in hose and heels and hat

When I am happy, oh, I let it out
(No need in my world to be playing small!)
In caper-cutting and a happy shout!
Nor worry what he’ll say about it all

Never a need to yawn my weary way
Through the tenth repetition of his word
In satisfaction of masculine say
By me, all femininely, meekly heard

Conversely, I’ve a need no bone to pick
Over aught subject, done, argued to death
Of which both parties mightily be sick
By some event in life given new breath

No, till I find a man content to meet
By happenstance, once a while, in the hall,
Decide to cook up something good to eat
And share in joy — I’ll do without them all!

*****

This poet presently lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

Arts patrons may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code 72D-31S. It will take about two weeks for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

Thank you for supporting quality in the fine arts