The Causerie
  • The Causerie
  • Welcome

Causerie \kōz-'rē\

An informal chat or talk: a friendly discussion, typically on a literary subject.

Welcome to The Causerie

A Feminine Phenomenon

5/4/2013

2 Comments

 
PictureBetween maturity and senility is great deal of wisdom.
A Feminine Phenomenon


Somewhere between maturity
And senility is a great deal of wisdom. 

It is after the children have gone, after
She has learned to cook well.
After the men have quit
Struggling. 
It is before she is so different
That people no longer take heed.

During that time, a precious few years,
She knows a lot.
The smart ones tell other women.
The smart ones do not hesitate to speak.
The smart few do not hesitate to listen.


Susan Patterson


Discussion…

A Feminine Phenomenon is poem about women.  It is part of a little series that I am presenting because Mother's Day is around the corner.  I will change direction in a week.  So, if you tire of the feminine component of humanity, bear with me. 

After I wrote this poem last year, someone suggested that I should not specify female wisdom; that this poem could be referring to males as well, and that I should make it unisex.   Yes, it is true, that both men and women have wisdom.  But, I am choosing here to discuss the female sense.

However, it does seem that in this society men are more respected as they age, women are often considered out of touch or silly.  Whether this true or not is up for debate, of course.  Women are certainly more respected than they used to be, but I believe there is a ways to go yet to gain appropriate consideration. 

Simply put, this poem says that women have a great deal of wisdom and that we should pay attention when it is available to us.  Do you agree? 

Audio of A Feminine Phenomenon


It Still Happens!

In this very fast paced and often thoughtless modern time, it still happens that children deliver flowers on May Day.  Yes, it is true.  This year again, two neighborhood children made me feel very special.  They wrapped flowers in paper, put them on my doorstep, rang the bell (a number of times, so that I about jumped out of my skin), and then ran off.  So thank you Rylee and Corbin for keeping the old tradition alive.  Thank you for being good neighbors. All of us who received flowers appreciate your thoughtfulness and your energy.  Thank you to your parents for raising such great children. 

To my introverted, quiet readers:

My gratitude for your interest in Causerie!  I routinely get comments from readers through email and phone calls.  I do appreciate hearing from everyone.  But, don't worry if you do not want to comment publicly.  I certainly understand.  However, if you do have something to say, don't be afraid to say it.  If you comment on the blog, it doesn't sign you up for Facebook or the like.  Of course, if you like Causerie, spread the word, tell your friends.   😊     Thanks.  skp

Picture
A patch of Lily of the Valley flowers in the Patterson garden. Lily of the Valley is the flower for the month of May.

Cheery-bye! 
2 Comments
Bonnie merchant
5/4/2013 05:28:51 am

Some women have gained wisdom with the years and others haven't. Children and cooking have less to do within than IQ, empathy,and curiosity. I don't care to have roles assigned to me because of gender. Still, mothers' day is a fine idea. Thanks for getting me thinking....

Reply
Susan
5/6/2013 09:40:04 am

Bonnie,

You are so right. I agree. Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age. Gender roles do not cultivate or guarantee wisdom either. I was more referring to a time in life rather than a time of accomplishment. The references might be seen as metaphors to that time. I could have said 'After she retires from the directorship or the CEO position or the professorship,' just as well. That particular phrasing didn't come to me. I do think it is true that women quit being listened to earlier than men, however.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    If you would like to email Susan, click HERE.

    Author

    Susan Patterson is a published author of three books of poetry and a book of memoirs.  She is heard regularly on RKWP podcast-radio. She also speaks at private and public events. Find out more at the website below.

    If you would like to receive updates and new posts, please sign up on the Welcome to The Causerie page.
    EarleneGrey.com

    Archives

    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All

    What's this RSS Feed stuff?

Blog Sponsor:

Special thanks to Earlene Grey® and Grey Publishing for kindly supporting this causerie.
Website by Western Marketing
Photos used under Creative Commons from David, Bergin, Emmett and Elliott, lamoix, Davide Restivo, naturalflow, WeVe1, johnhope14, kcxd, Boston Public Library, awebbMHAcad, InAweofGod'sCreation, tonyhall, rist2796, BluebearsLair, eioua, Salicia, V-A-K, 55Laney69, Infomastern, riptheskull, sean_hickin, SoulRider.222, paweesit, scotbot, frankdouwes, Andreas Øverland, bernhard.friess, LuAnn Snawder Photography, Just Bens Photos, Kumweni, Alkan de Beaumont Chaglar, Maura McDonnell, ZeroOne, mripp, Bryn Pinzgauer, Nicholas_T, brookpeterson, George Alexander Ishida Newman, eioua, y.caradec, Nicholas_T, fromthevalleys-, Toronto History, Geecy, joncandy, Karen Roe, Jonathan Miske, verityatthedisco, FrankyChou, Tim Tuttle, DncnH, glasseyes view, Rob Gallop, Miguel Mendez, joncandy, The U.S. Army, darvina06, McD22, .tafo., torbakhopper, MCAD Library, BLMOregon, Norbert Reimer, Jonathan Miske, Jamie McCaffrey, benjaflynn, Valoisa Huone | photographer Petteri Sopanen, PapaPiper, timies_art, World/In/My/Eyes, Jaro Larnos, Infomastern, Joonie - http://justjoonie.blogspot.com/, Zanastardust, pfly, UpSticksNGo, Sharada Prasad, Michael Seeley, SpirosK photography, Wonderlane, cletch, Martin Pettitt, Alaskan Dude, Ben124., pedrosimoes7, Jim Sorbie, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, charinaduenas, jamarmstrong, forum.linvoyage.com, rajkumar1220, Zyllan Fotografía, ThisisalexK, versageek, cletch, BotheredByBees, pomodoroentertainment, Camp Pinewood YMCA, jimmyharris, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Pip R. Lagenta, Seattle Municipal Archives, duck vs. chicken, MCAD Library, gautsch., {Guerrilla Futures | Jason Tester}, Shermeee, ArturoYee, jimbowen0306, Mt. Hood Territory, freeparking :-|, flickr.annieandrew, Giorgio Galeotti, VeZoul, Wonderlane, jedydjah, xovesphoto, bertknot, liverpoolhls, Eric Kilby, iamchad, Karva Javi, rumimume, notfrancois, Imageation, hanspetermeyer.ca, Chuck 55, ninara, PK Fotografie, littlemisspurps, Sarah McDevitt, col&tasha, Island Way Photography, davebloggs007, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, sunchild123, Th.Papathanasiou, procsilas, Camera Eye Photography, kamsky, facebook.com/snapshotsofthepast, duggar11, *ErinBrierley*, cindy_knowlton2000, Kevin M. Gill, Markus Trienke, Kirt Edblom, tsaiproject, Dougtone, CJS*64 A man with a camera, Kurdistan Photo كوردستان, Wonderlane, Lucas Lima 37, photos_without_borders, -ab, Gonmi, MCAD Library, Lake Worth, L2F1, laffertyryan, Mike Procario, Keith Laverack, AwayWeGo210, bertknot, cheriejoyful, rich701, ierdnall, ninja 4 life, PK Fotografie, Blue Mountains Local Studies, presmd, nicolee_camacho, Vito De Meo, TheFACT, roseannadana, Tekniska museet, katerha, Classic_Movie_Gals, LuAnn Snawder Photography, Kevin Johnston, Tregoning, Mr Moss, Michel Curi, ajuonline, Madalina Ungur, zenera, matthewthecoolguy, Nathan Van Arsdale, gnuckx, docoverachiever, glasseyes view, mckaysavage, Bitterroot, Tim Tuttle, joaobambu, kamsky, synestheticstrings, smileoften, Parker Knight, Kitt Foo, rajkumar1220, Mavroudis Kostas, pedrosimoes7, Waiting For The Word, ed 37 ~~, leo.jeje, adactio, downing.amanda, sⓘndy°, S.MiRK, Meanest Indian, twinxamot, infomatique, MrMitch, Garett Gabriel, librarywebchic, stevendepolo, Paul Stainthorp, coolgeek1998, Debs (ò‿ó)♪, verityatthedisco, paukrus, javcon117, Lars Plougmann, McD22, ulrichkarljoho, tonyhall, Twix, HumanSeeHumanDo, garryknight, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region, slightly everything, e³°°°, chakchouka, archer10 (Dennis), Zhetta, State Records NSW, Katie@!, Flawka, Bjørn Giesenbauer, dvanzuijlekom, RickC, iapetos-1(crazy father), luckyfish, weldonwk, pennyspitter, H o l l y., color line, berny0md, Dominic's pics, ohmyGaly, Marianoff, slightly everything, jetglo, deflam, Jan Tik, Mo Kaiwen 莫楷文, leo.jeje