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Open Poetry #43
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The Women of The Land
| Open Poetry #43 |
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The Women of The Land |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria 
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The Women of The Land When I look upon the young women of today, Especially those born in the last thirty years, With so many modern appliances on display, Have they the strength of the pioneers? Those pioneering women were a breed alone, As they stood and worked beside their men, So many hardships to them all were known, They were each a stalwart citizen. The farmers wives have been a tower of strength, The rock on which the farms were made, And then finally the bush was tamed at length, Thru’ great courage and determination displayed. They milked their cows and tended their flocks While their husbands cleared and tilled the soil, They had the strength to absorb the daily knocks And keep the kitchen kettle on the boil. There was no electricity on the farms back then, Just a hurricane lamp to light the way, But rock solid they stood beside their men To face the joy and stress of each new day. Washing machines were a thing unknown, They had to scrub the clothes by hand, A strong example as they have older grown, These brave and hardy women of the land. Sometimes left alone for weeks on end, Often for a large family to provide, Young folks today could not comprehend, Or by those primitive conditions now abide. They mostly baked their bread in days of yore And making home made butter was the norm, But everyone was welcome at their door With a friendship sincere and warm. Now as they pass to a higher reign, Their full significance can we understand, Shall we ever see their likes again, These brave and honest women of the land. Lindsay P Wilson |
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| © Copyright 2008 Lindsay P Wilson - All Rights Reserved | |||
Alison 
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
Lindsay Wonderful poem. I am sure that pioneer women world-wide are applauding your words. I love this one. Alison |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
My grandmother had a washing machine but she preferred to use a scrub board in the laundry tub. When I helped her do the laundry, I had to use the scrub board with a bar of homemade soap. Old ways die hard! I treasure my visits at my grandma's house. It was like stepping into a by-gone century. I enjoyed your poem very much. I hale from United Empire Loyalist stock and I do believe that I retain some cellular memory of those days. I even named one of my former businesses "Pioneer Studios". Hale and hardy hugs to you my dear Aussie friend! Love Linda |
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Prasad Nataraj Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149Bangalore,India |
Hi Lindsay, my Grandmother can’t understand English that well; I had to translate this one in my mother tongue. She’s 85 years old now and she likes your poem a lot. Prasad  "Hardwork pays in the long run" |
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amusemi Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1262A State of Disarray |
Great write. I was just thinking this morning about how greatful I am to the women who carved the way to the lifestyle I now enjoy. Those women broke the mold and we should cherish every one. |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
quote: This is a wonderful tribute to those heroic women, dear Lindsay. Your "survey" is so accurate, they do not exist anymore! Of all the hard jobs they accomplished, baking their own bread and making their own butter was probably the most gratifying activity. There is nothing like making our own bread ... I have done this a couple of times and it was such an event that I took pictures of the bread and was so proud!! Every new generation is getting "weaker"(now they sweat for some tough "work-out", but not for their daily chore). I remember my own grandmother and also my mother never ever complained about being tired, even after a long day of work in the household. Today we get tired and complain too often ... Thank you for this insightful, beautifully written poem, which really opens a window into former times. Love, Margherita  |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
My mother often talked about her grandmother who was about 7 years old during the civil war and how they did things back then. She always said that the homemade bread and butter was deliious and that after her grandmother died she never tasted food that was as good again.I always remember her stories about wash day too. Thank you for this lovely tribute to those women who truly deserve it. Ida |
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Misty Lilacs Senior Member
since 2005-11-15
Posts 1060White Birch Forest |
"The farmers wives have been a tower of strength, The rock on which the farms were made, And then finally the bush was tamed at length, Thru’ great courage and determination displayed." Today's woman has no idea of the hardships of the women of long ago. Most of us would crumble under the weight of chores and children. This was a wonderful story and I enjoyed it so much. You are a great writer of tales. Marti |
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XGarapanX Senior Member
since 2008-06-19
Posts 1435Antarctica |
Great great write, Lindsay. And it's my belief those women still exist. But they deserve the comforts while it lasts. ·´~`·»Brett«·´~`· |
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Spuddette Member
since 2008-07-03
Posts 112England |
I really enjoyed this post. I think modern men and women have been displaced by machines and technology and are searching to fill the gap left behind. |
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LindsayP Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410Australia, Victoria |
To my great friends, Alison, Linda, Prasad, Amusemi,Margherita, Ida, Marti, Garapan and Spudette, how would PIP get on without you generous poets who prop up old men like me. You have made my day and I sincerely thank you all, God bless. Lindsay |
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Earl Brinkman Senior Member
since 2010-03-03
Posts 1183Osaka, Japan |
I can`t imagine how hardy those women must have been to survive in those days. A treat to read. |
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