Voices
In the days when children
were seen and not heard
my words were mute
my voice, empty
unable to by-pass the invisible
(and arbitrary) line
that accompanied a shotgun glare
or a clip-around-the-ear.
My fingers have learnt
to speak for me.
My own children's self-esteem
appears bullet-proof
their words sure-fire.
They open their mouths
and hurl their voices out
into the world.
It seems there is no line
invisible or otherwise.
No one will shoot them down
with ease, least of all me.
“Being at home can be fun, insulating, relaxed, boring or isolating ... depending on how the day is going.”*
School holidays are almost over in my part of the world – six long weeks of noise and squabbling balanced by hot, lazy days at the beach or the pool with lots of daring exploits and laughter. Many of our days were spent at home, basking in simple pleasures like baking, playing games or outdoor pursuits – trying to relax the everyday routines of school-morning bustle and ‘having to be somewhere on time’. However pleasant, I must admit to being relieved that life gets back to normal next week, and I can reclaim some of my own time for writing again!
* From Being Mummy by Anne‑marie Taplin published April 2007