Collecting honey
Of dreams
Nurtured
but not yet realised,
For the loved child
whose wings
were seized
Mysteriously
When more determination and assessments,
Speechies, physios and occ therapy
are not enough,
Fair child has stopped,
Regresses, slowly progresses
When there is finger-pointing
By those in authority,
When many hoped-for milestones
Have a recurring ‘not good enough’ theme
Parental love is magnified,
Torched,
Endlessly yearns,
It reclaims
Resurfaces, begging,
Where can my child and I dance
Happy orbital dreams!
beyond developmental trajectories?
I deflect ignorant stares,
Nurse my pride with emergency care
I predict nothing, mercifully,
Hear the trumpets heralding each new day,
Pick up the bucket wistfully,
I go and collect the honey.
“A gender-equal society would be one where the word ‘gender’ does not exist: where everyone can be themselves.”*
I’ve always been aware of gender conditioning and actively tried to combat any lingering prejudices or stereotypes in my own parenting, even down to encouraging dolls with my boys when they were little. It’s great to read people writing about gender issues they’re experiencing with their kids. For too long these subjects have been discouraged or silenced. I’d love to publish some more creative writing on this topic, especially if you are struggling with a child who actively tries to move away from gender normative preferences. A society where everyone can be themselves – thanks Gloria for those aspirational words.
* Gloria Steinem