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
lillian the home poet 
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rochelle. Yes — talk about breathless!!! 🙂 😦
LikeLike
You reminded me of George from Enid Blyton’s, Famous Five books, very well done. I liked this. Mike
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!).
LikeLike
Enid Blyton’s George [Georgina] is a girl in a children’s book from the 1950’s.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You caught her frustration beautifully, Lillian. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sandra. And my congratulations again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All those stays and ties, and goodness me! >
LikeLiked by 1 person
….and I don’t even like to have tight things around my waist! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree that she sounds like George!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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)
LikeLiked by 1 person
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! 🙂
LikeLike
A good character and setting, Lillian. This got me reading! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed 🙂
LikeLike
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:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLike
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:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my! Perhaps your spirit ws channeled into my mind for this piece?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this. Excellent imagery. Enjoyed it a lot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay — so once you got past the name you were okay? Glad you enjoyed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this. I wonder how many girls of bygone eras have felt trapped by customs and mores. Perfectly written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
I can identify with Izzie in reverse. Everyone should be able to express how they feel inside. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! Also has something to say about societal norms in dress code — and comfort! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! 🙂
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLike
Thank you, Margaret. So glad you liked this one.
LikeLike
Why would they even invent corsets! Good poem!
I remember feeling similar thoughts growing up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed.
LikeLike