Poetry Friday - Honoring Women

         Catherine Flynn at Reading to The Core hosts this day,  Friday, March 8th, which is International Women’s Day, hashtag and theme #BalanceforBetter. Here is the website. Catherine has asked that people help to celebrate the day by sharing poems that honor women and she is sharing her poem that honors Ellen Harding Baker, a teacher, who lived in the 19th century and, as a teacher, created an extraordinary quilt that depicts the solar system. Be sure to visit to see and read Catherine's poem about Baker.

         Oh my, so many choices! I've browsed my books and have more than one I could share. I've been writing poems each day with a group to celebrate Laura Shovan's birthday. The theme this month is "food" with members posting a picture of their choosing on the date each chose. Many of my words lean to personal memories. After all, food is one of those personal things that cling, isn't it? From early childhood to grown, considering my and all the other poets' poems, most are food connections, memories, experiences. 
         This past Wednesday, one of our group posted this: "These are the ingredients for a quick vegetarian dish that my family loves. Cook 8 oz of pasta, add salsa, tomatoes, drained black beans, and top with shredded cheddar cheese. Make a double batch if you like leftovers for lunch. Alternate prompts: pasta, beans, cheddar cheese, or tomatoes."

          I value my friends, some even online from afar, some here in my neighborhood, but being together, eating what we create together, is special like a hug that lasts and lasts.



         I remember the fun, though hard work, being with an aunt and other women peeling apples and more apples, making sumptuous apple butter outside, big black pot on a low fire. I remember sitting in the kitchen as a little girl watching a grandmother prepare so.much.food for a family of five grown children, their spouses and kids, laughing with aunts  as each one worked at one dish or another. I remember a writers group I was in long ago, each bringing some food, and some words, to share, to laugh or cry over, TOGETHER! I do honor all those women, feel honored to have been a part of them in my life.

         Here is what I wrote to this prompt, honoring women! It is a draft. I see a few things that I may change, but this is my first burst of love for women gathering, cooking, eating together. 

      Food (or Friend) Fest

Every third Thursday, the group

hugs each other for another month.

At my house this time,

I brought out the pot

ready for the mish-mash

of ingredients,

started heating water for the pasta.

Ann brought a can of black beans,

always in a hurry,

“Only can left on my shelf,“ she laughed!

Sadie stopped by the Mercado,

adds a special salsa. She, the traveler,

spices the gathering every time.

Instead of canned, Elaina, our only real cook,

brought chopped tomatoes from her garden,

and Judy, who often topped our conversations,

added shredded cheese.

A goulash of women friends

cures any indigestion for a month.

 Linda Baie ©