I Didn'T Know

When men were kings with steeds
women were handmaids to their needs.
repositories for their seed to grow
                                   ...I didn't know.

When men worked to make fields right,
women worked both day and night,
with bleeding hands, she'd try to sew
                                    ...I didn't know.

Men talked politics to only men
women weren't allowed back then.
If she had a brain, it mustn't show,
                                     ...I didn't know.

A woman couldn't own things herself;
like chattel, she sat on the shelf.
Her children were only his to show,
                                      ...I didn't know.

This is one thing to take note:
at one time, a woman could not vote;
until Suffragists began their show,
                                       ...I didn't know.

She worked and the check went to the man.
He'd give her cash within his own plan.
Altho tired, she helped her children grow,
                                        ...I didn't know.

Now women sit as corporate heads,
doctors, lawyers, all well-read.
We're living in the afterglow,
on the shoulders of all those women
                                       ...we didn't know.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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12
Robertson Avatar
October 14, 2021 at 4:51 AM
Such lovely poetry, I'm all aglow. Now I know.
Jordan Avatar
October 13, 2021 at 10:01 AM
Ann, this poem reminds me of Grandmother. My grandmother Sarah was the hardest working person I've ever known. She canned what we raised in her garden, raised 200 laying hens, we had several pigs and cows we raised for meat. I have 6 quilts she made by hand and I'm now 60, so I've already worn out a couple. She woke before the sun and finished her day after sunset. I would give anything for a jar of her fig jam. I did know because I was lucky enough to have been raised by her, great poem, MJ
Peck Avatar
October 14, 2021 at 3:10 PM
Michael, what lovely comments about your grandmother! She did all of that and had 200 laying hens - incredible. We grumble a lot and take things for granted, but women in the past had hard lives. I doubt we could do what your gmom did today. Thanks so much for your comments!
Perna Avatar
October 12, 2021 at 5:41 PM
Amazing, excellent work, I didn't know either!
Rodrigues Avatar
October 12, 2021 at 4:32 PM
Nice tribute to women!
Peck Avatar
October 14, 2021 at 3:11 PM
Thanks, Kim :)
Davis Avatar
October 12, 2021 at 7:09 AM
Absolutely brilliant poem, loved it, great write????????
Peck Avatar
October 12, 2021 at 10:12 AM
Thank you so much for your comments, Jo!
Walker Avatar
October 12, 2021 at 4:30 AM
Well done, Ann.
Peck Avatar
October 12, 2021 at 10:14 AM
Thank you for taking time to comment, David! I appreciate it.
Jones Avatar
October 12, 2021 at 4:08 AM
I love this poem. Really portrays the struggle of women using wonderful smart rhythm. Great write!
Peck Avatar
October 12, 2021 at 10:15 AM
Thank you so much, Karen!
Marcum Wong Avatar
October 11, 2021 at 8:43 PM
I see why this won POTD Ann. This is a wonderful tribute to women of the past who have worked hard to help us grow and experience more equally. Bravo! Blessings
Peck Avatar
October 12, 2021 at 10:17 AM
Thank you, Connie! We do tend to forget the struggles women went through, and some still experience.
Clear Avatar
May 19, 2021 at 7:52 AM
Yes, you really thought this through! observing does reach the truth at times. We really hope our young realize this too.......you were able to express this............thx, suzanne
Makama Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 8:14 PM
Beautifully written with so much grace. Your lines are thick with craft and fascination. Great work.
Peck Avatar
April 30, 2021 at 2:01 PM
Thank you so much, Funom, for your kind words!
Gauthier Avatar
April 18, 2021 at 3:38 PM
Wonderful tribute, Ann ~ thought provoking. Congrats on your well deserved POTD.
Peck Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 12:27 PM
Thank you for your kind comments, Line!
Wolf Avatar
April 11, 2021 at 5:03 PM
This was, indeed, the way of the world, until after WW1. In a number of countries in the Middle East and Africa, it still is the way of the world. No one cares about 'over there' ... Congrats, Ann, on a great write and a well-deserved POTD. ~ gw
Peck Avatar
April 12, 2021 at 9:09 AM
Gershon, thank you for your truthful message. It is a horror that women are treated so poorly, in many countries beaten and killed. Possibly education is the only answer. Thank you for your congrats.
Sangster - K Avatar
April 6, 2021 at 6:30 PM
Hi Ann, Wow this is an excellent! Brother Jacob is right, this needs to be in a book with illustration's. Congratulations :-)
Peck Avatar
April 8, 2021 at 12:07 PM
Thank you, Anne, for your nice comments. Actually, I'm reading up on how to go about self publishing of a number of poems. My friend will illustrate.
Rodrigues Avatar
April 4, 2021 at 4:24 AM
Congratulations on POTD! On politics, so cool that Jesus broke that norm as well. He spoke to the Samaritan woman. She was the first one that he told that he was the Messiah. Happy Easter, Ann!
Peck Avatar
April 4, 2021 at 10:33 AM
Yes, Jesus, altho Jewish, treated women equally! Thank you for commenting, Kim.
Ray Choudhury Avatar
April 3, 2021 at 10:57 AM
Congratulations on your POTD. This is a theme very close to my heart, and you have penned it in an exceptional way. Thank you for choosing this topic for a great write. This is going to me faves. Love ~ Mala
Peck Avatar
April 4, 2021 at 10:40 AM
Dear Mala, thank you for your nice comments. There are women all over the world who are treated poorly, and we need to keep that subject alive, I think.
Fenn Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 11:47 PM
Hi Ann! What a great tribute to all the women who went before us and suffered such oppressive times and to the suffragists who changed that! Congrats on your POTD! Happy Easter!
Peck Avatar
April 3, 2021 at 10:08 AM
Thanks for commenting, Jennifer! Yes, so many shoulders. I'm not sure women appreciate that.
Roper Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 10:11 PM
Congratulations on POTD, Ann. Have a nice Easter Sunday.
Peck Avatar
April 4, 2021 at 10:55 AM
Thank you! A nice Easter to you also!
Y. Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 5:11 PM
WoW! Ann, Women have come a long way. One made it all the way to the white house as VP. It's a great day to be a woman. Congratulations on getting the poem of the day. It was well deserved. Have a great day and a Happy Easter:-) Alexis
Peck Avatar
April 3, 2021 at 10:12 AM
Thanks for your comments, Alexis! Yes, we've come a long way and given up things along the path. I'm sorry I was working while my children were growing, but I also liked my job. A conundrum :)
Y. Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 10:29 PM
I didn't come here to debate, I just came here to comment on Ann’s amazing poem. And how far women have come.
Roper Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 10:16 PM
Alexis, I feel the same way as you.. Keith , you have the right to your opinion and that is your right
Hankins Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 12:30 PM
Just back to say CONGRATULATIONS for receiving POTD!!!!
Peck Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 3:15 PM
Thank you, Milton!
Singh Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 11:50 AM
the flow & rhythm of poem brings true picture of our society. simple & beautiful, loved it!!!
Peck Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 12:01 PM
Thank you so much, Poornima! We do stand on a lot of their shoulders. Thank you for commenting.
Edmonds  Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 11:47 AM
That’s wonderful Ann, outstanding, well written and so deserving of poem of the day... Belle
Peck Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 12:09 PM
Oh, Belle - I didn't know it was poem of the day til you told me! I don't check my email often enough. thank you for your kind comments.
Merryman Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 10:57 AM
A poetic rendering of the history of women - an excellent write, Ann! Congrats on your well deserved POTD! Blessings, Kim M
Peck Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 12:10 PM
Kim, Thank you so much for reading my poems and commenting on them. I appreciate you,
Michael Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 9:21 AM
You are completely right...the tables have turned...there's a little more balance nowadays...Congratulations Ann Peck on POTD...
Goldsmith Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 8:48 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win. A wonderful story/write. Love your line, "We're living in the afterglow, on the shoulders of all those women." Have a blessed day and Easter...................
Peck Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 3:19 PM
Thank you, Paula, for taking time to comment. I hope you have a blessed Easter, also.
Mcconnell Avatar
April 2, 2021 at 8:39 AM
Great pen Ann, telling so well the route of the woman through the ages with great imagery and lovely rhyme too. Congrats on the POTD, so well deserved. Blessings, Gordon
Peck Avatar
April 4, 2021 at 10:46 AM
Gordon, thank you so much for your kind comments, and for reading my poetry! Your poetry is wonderful.
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