I am not Sarah Elizabeth!
Call me Izzie, please.
I hate these tedious tatting lessons.
My dresses always have dark dots in the lace
and my finger tips feel like pin cushions.
Thimbles are the silliest things
impossible to maneuver.
I’d rather be a Samuel.
Sammy in knickers and suspenders
rolling a hoop and playing catch.
And my chest.
I’m soon to be found out.
And mother shall issue those dreaded words,
“It’s corset time.”
I’d rather hang from the rafters,
ride bareback and swig spirits
than be straight laced
wearing one of those things.
I hate being a girl!
Word Count: 100 Written for Rochelle Wisoff- Fields’ Friday Fictioneers — prompt photo appears on Wednesday and posts can be early. Apologies to the purists as I “arranged” my lines in more poetic form today. It is after all, NaPoWriMo (national poetry writing month). Photo Credit: Mary Shipman
Dear Lillian,
A corset would be horrid prospect. Oh the price we pay for beauty. Love the voice of your verse. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. Yes — talk about breathless!!! 🙂 😦
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You reminded me of George from Enid Blyton’s, Famous Five books, very well done. I liked this. Mike
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Thank you, Mike. Not familiar with this George — will have to look him up. But I am partial to the name (my spouse of 46 years!).
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Enid Blyton’s George [Georgina] is a girl in a children’s book from the 1950’s.
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You caught her frustration beautifully, Lillian. Well done.
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Thank you, Sandra. And my congratulations again!
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All those stays and ties, and goodness me! >
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….and I don’t even like to have tight things around my waist! 🙂
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Agree that she sounds like George!
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I think a corset future would be enough reason to hate to be a girl. Not to mention pins and needles, lace and dresses… Girls should be doing what they want. (and yes I do remember George… even here in Sweden we read Enid Blyton)
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Thanks, Bjorn. I just looked up George and Enid Blyton’s books — UK author. Shall now be getting some of these for my grand children who are avid readers! 🙂
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A good character and setting, Lillian. This got me reading! 🙂
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So glad you enjoyed 🙂
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Oh, Lillian
this is quintessential poetry as it represents feminine antiquated underpinnings – how amusing your lines trying to spare the young lass from a corset that will take her breath away – sadly – for all the wrong reasons;)
wonderful
am:)
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Thank you, AnnMarie! 🙂 I cannot imagine wearing one of those contraptions!!! Bad enough in my teenager years when I was really skinny (really skinny) and because of peer pressure pulled on a girdle every day! How stupid was that??? Of course I think those torture chambers still exist only they’re called Spanks!
Glad you liked this one!
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you wore a girdle, I wore an eye patch, geez, we would have made some elementary tag team;)
was a great piece of poetry, Lillian
happy thursday
am:)
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I barely got past the first line. My name is Sarah Elizabeth! It is a common pairing, but I was just taken back. Ok, going back to read again. 😀
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Oh my! Perhaps your spirit ws channeled into my mind for this piece?
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Love this. Excellent imagery. Enjoyed it a lot!
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Okay — so once you got past the name you were okay? Glad you enjoyed!
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Loved this. I wonder how many girls of bygone eras have felt trapped by customs and mores. Perfectly written!
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Thank you, Jan. So nice to see you this morning over my morning cup of coffee! Hope you’ll stop by again — I do love chatting with folks in the AM — especially as I’m reading and writing my poetry.
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I can identify with Izzie in reverse. Everyone should be able to express how they feel inside. 🙂
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Exactly! Also has something to say about societal norms in dress code — and comfort! 🙂
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Yes! 🙂
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Oh the poor girl, and even today they are pressed into a mold to make them all the same. I hope she keeps up her rebellious spirit.
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She is a bit of a rebel 🙂 So would I be if I had to wear a corset every day! 🙂 Thanks for reading and the reply — truly appreciated.
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Gender is a complicated matter. Your story captures one person’s frustration really well, and I like that you set it at a pivotal moment in her life as she approaches adulthood.
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Thank you, Margaret. So glad you liked this one.
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Why would they even invent corsets! Good poem!
I remember feeling similar thoughts growing up.
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Glad you enjoyed.
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