Fragile

FRAGILE I watched my mother Beautiful, petite, smart Widowed at 28 with three small children And people said, "Be extra good, your mother is fragile." A blonde Jackie Kennedy, Right down to the pill-box hat The early 60s when women were pretty, songless birds Protected in their husbands' split-level cages. Remarry was the only way, "they" said As she ran for public office, favored to win. But he wouldn't have a wife that worked Unless ironing his shorts three times to get it "right." Glass is fragile. I found that out As I heard him smashing it when he beat her at night. Bones are fragile. I found that out When mommy had broken fingers and toes after loud nights. My mother was many things. A victim. A woman. But fragile? Mommy bird sang a song of invincibility As she escaped her cage with five children in tow. I have two girls of my own. Smart. Beautiful. Compassionate. I am proud. They know that fragile means breakable And that women in our family are more steel than glass. Fragile is for collectibles we buy and sell. My mother taught me we cannot be owned. Fragile is for birds without a voice. But my mother sang, even if in a different key. My mother was the strongest woman I ever knew. I hope she looks down on her female descendants And sees that one Jackie-like woman in a pill box hat Inspired generations of decidedly non-fragile women. January 26, 2017