Cindi Rockwell Poet Free verse

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

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James Inman July 13, 2017 at 12:29 PM Cindi, my respect for your mother, but also for you. What you have described in this poem doesn't just happen to the parents but to the entire family. A wonderful and heart felt tribute to your mother.

Leslie Roberts February 11, 2017 at 8:46 AM A petite, delicate flower is meant to adore. When the rain strip's it's petals, it's a flower no more. It's a shame when when that happen's and beauty is lost. Because a bouquet of stem's just aren't worth the cost. You might think I missed the meaning and gist. But not every story ends up sweetly kissed.

Andrea Dietrich January 27, 2017 at 8:42 PM wow, Cindi. What a mother you had!! My mom left my dad with four kids under age five in tow! She was so strong too. This is really good work. A FAVE Cindi Rockwell January 27, 2017 at 9:32 PM Thank you, Andrea. And that's only a taste of her story!