Once upon a time, a mother groomed
her daughters to shine (hide):
her prettiest (dumbest)
her favorite (least trouble)
her smartest (least noticed)
From earliest years
the beautiful daughter
outshone her Mother,
so was branded trouble,
silenced, and made obese.
The plain one cultivated talents
to distinguish herself from the beauty--
her slippery charm was rewarded
as cleverness and cheer.
Third daughter chose twice.
She became quiet and smiley enough
to satisfy Mother and sisters alike,
perfect enough to spike A’s.
Sisters regret
that as they grow old,
dead Mother’s proclamations
keep a long-nailed hold.
Author Bio:
Kathy French has been a lover of words and rhythms all of her life, so reading and writing poetry comes naturally. Recently she retired after many years of teaching and raising children. She has traveled widely in a pre-lockdown life, most recently camping in the Western states where she has lived for 30 years. She finds great satisfaction in her adventures with people, animals, and the wilderness.
her daughters to shine (hide):
her prettiest (dumbest)
her favorite (least trouble)
her smartest (least noticed)
From earliest years
the beautiful daughter
outshone her Mother,
so was branded trouble,
silenced, and made obese.
The plain one cultivated talents
to distinguish herself from the beauty--
her slippery charm was rewarded
as cleverness and cheer.
Third daughter chose twice.
She became quiet and smiley enough
to satisfy Mother and sisters alike,
perfect enough to spike A’s.
Sisters regret
that as they grow old,
dead Mother’s proclamations
keep a long-nailed hold.
Author Bio:
Kathy French has been a lover of words and rhythms all of her life, so reading and writing poetry comes naturally. Recently she retired after many years of teaching and raising children. She has traveled widely in a pre-lockdown life, most recently camping in the Western states where she has lived for 30 years. She finds great satisfaction in her adventures with people, animals, and the wilderness.
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