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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…

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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.

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.

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.

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...

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..

Patricia Cresswell
Date: 10/11/2017 7:04:00 PM

Thank you Silent One.