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Patricia Cresswell | + Follow Poet |
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Hall of Silent Women

Hall of Silent Women

in valhala
in a far corner
of this martial paradise
is one small unobtrusive hall
above the heavy iron door
these words are faintly inscribed

“ the war department
 regrets to inform you
that your son……
has been killed 
in action, in defence of……”

women 
silent
row upon row
straight backed, tight lipped, blank eyed
their amputated anger melting hearts
while words swift shot pierces soul

women 
from life first stirrings
through vaulted cave to clapboard ranch
crouched sweating over birthing pit
to numbed white linen labour
in their pain and joy shudders steel shod feet 
march through the womb.

women
ancient cauldrons
endless source of armoury
kept tongueless
then given tongue to teach
man made words
toy soldiers bleed rust.

in valhala
indeed in every martial paradise
there is one small unobtrusive hall
above the heavy door
words are faintly inscribed…

Copyright © Patricia Cresswell | Year Posted 2017

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J Hamilton Gist Date: 11/16/2017 4:05:00 PM You are definitely beast mode! I love your work! Come check me out when you have time. Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 11/16/2017 5:00:00 PM I would love too come and read your work. Thank you for the invitation and the comment.

Sunlite Wanter Date: 11/3/2017 6:12:00 PM This is a very stirring tribute and makes all us women hold up our heads. Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 11/3/2017 7:34:00 PM Hi Sunny One we should be proud of our past as women. Thank you.

Aqua Marine Date: 10/13/2017 1:39:00 AM There is no sense to the violence perpetuated by man's callous need to dominate and destroy his fellow human beings...Aggresion and fear create megalomania, which leads to war Life is so precious, but then, men have not carried that precious cargo, or given birth to it, so it seems that women bear the burden of grief...yet men have a huge capacity for compassion too, often hidden behind that " stiff upper lip..." I loved the way you have expressed this topic- with strength and dignity. Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 11/3/2017 7:32:00 PM Thank you so much for your deep understanding.

Ovidiu Bocsa Date: 10/10/2017 3:18:00 PM Wallhalla. A mythical moral territory special prepared for the brave hearts. A martial paradise for those knowing its tragedy and especially the sad events of the last century. The Imperative of Adorno is just not to repeat the same mistakes... Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 10/11/2017 6:46:00 PM But we do keep repeating the same mistakes. A definition of insanity is the repetition of behaviours expecting a different out come. May be are all insane. Thank you.

Shubham Pal Chowdhury Date: 10/10/2017 3:07:00 PM Well written Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 10/11/2017 6:47:00 PM Thank you.

Old Buck Date: 10/10/2017 2:17:00 PM Patricia: A wonderful 'word' memorial to the unsung hero's (mothers) of a never ending war. This is a bit heavy for me and I may have misunderstood your aim. However: I enjoyed my take on it anyway. :o) Keep them coming. oldbuck Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 10/11/2017 6:50:00 PM You are most correct Buck. Thank you for understanding.

Jannie Breedt Date: 10/10/2017 1:31:00 PM Incredible, check your inbox. Congratulations for being featured on PS home page. Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 10/11/2017 6:52:00 PM Hi Jannie will check. Good to hear from you. Thanks!

Lim'Rik Flats Date: 10/8/2017 8:09:00 PM Thank you for writing woman's view! Us men folk write war crap, some good, some bad, but rarely address the cost to mothers. One of my war PO's implies women would not send their sons to war. I don't know if it is true, but I'd like to think so. Down here in Trumptopia I'm amazed by the number of women who supported a blatant chauvinist A-hole who does not give a D about their offspring — war, starvation, whatever. I cannot believe they voted for him. Oops, ranting, sorry. Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 10/11/2017 6:57:00 PM It is because women have been deprived of their culture for so long now that they have replaced it with Patriarchal beliefs. Women would not naturally tolerate war but they are brain

Arthur Vaso Date: 10/8/2017 7:52:00 PM What a very amazing poem! You had me at the title, and I hung on to every verse, I just finished a book and this poem somehow reminded of that as well! A Fav. Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 10/11/2017 6:58:00 PM Thank you Arthur.

Line Gauthier Date: 10/7/2017 10:17:00 PM Very powerful. Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 10/11/2017 7:07:00 PM Thanks Line.

Thvia Shetley Date: 10/7/2017 2:21:00 PM This is such an emotional piece as it tugged a tear from my eye. Our history as humans and women is truly heart wrenching. Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 10/11/2017 7:05:00 PM Women can change our ways of war. Thank you Thvia.

Silent One Date: 10/7/2017 8:42:00 AM Powerful, powerful write! This is an excellent poem, highlight abuse of women, this is what poetry should be about.. One of your best poems Patricia and a FAV for me.. Login to Reply Patricia Cresswell Date: 10/11/2017 7:04:00 PM Thank you Silent One.