Carrying of the water,
stoking of the stove,
sweeping up the cinders,
mending of the clothes.
Cooking up the dinner,
helping kids with sums;
then telling bedtime stories,
of faeries and Tom Thumbs,
I tuck wee ones into dreams
in trundle beds under wool.
Undone it comes, one plait
at a time, in warm gaslight.
I brush and tease strands
until they shine like fire.
Attuned to your creaking steps
across the front porch boards,
I sip warm chamomile, drowsy
at the fire. I brush and brush;
my honeyed, soft skin waits.
Wood gives. My belly blushes.
Carrie is the host of The Sunday Muse. Such wonderful images to choose from, but this one spoke to me.
Tao Talk 
Li this is so good! I really liked it! ❤
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Thanks much, Carol Anne 🙂
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This poem definitely sets the mood. I wonder how you’d even brush such long hair. But it sure is beautiful.
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Thank you, Sherry.
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Undone it comes, one plait
at a time, in warm gaslight.
I brush and tease strands
until they shine like fire.
Love the feelings of love and tenderness accorded to the long tresses which may not be seen that frequently these days. Wonderful write Jade!
Hank
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Hank, thank you very much.
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Oh so beautiful, love the way you’ve described her evening
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Thank you, Sadje.
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You’re welcome
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A wonderful response to the image Lisa! I like the one you choose too! A woman’s work is never done as they say. Lovely poetry with lovely rhyme!
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Thank you, Carrie ❤
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A beautiful poem! A journey of self-love 🙂
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Thank you, “Someone” 🙂
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So vividly described. Beautiful. How she manages such long hair.
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Yes it is! Thank you, Indira.
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My pleasure, dear.
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Beautiful poem, Lisa. And, yes, mothers are true everyday heroes that oftentimes remain unacknowledged. I wonder how many years it took for the woman in your photo to grow her hair that long – it’s amazing!
I also love your musical choice. Bonnie Raitt is one of my all-time favorite artists. Not only is she a fantastic slide guitarist, but she’s also a no B.S. artist – just an amazing lady all around!
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You’re right about moms being heroes. Dads are also, as the footsteps belong to the dad, I’m sure, who has been at work somewhere until after dark. In my 20’s I could sit on my hair. About Bonnie 100% in agreement with you about her. I debated on whether to use this cover or the original by Linda and Richard Thompson, but I chose this one as the female features in the poem. Thanks for reading and your wonderful comment 🙂
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I love the picture of warmth and the distinct personality you build here. The picture is of another time, yet the poem is of a time we all carry within us. Hope you had a marvellous visit with the grandbaby.
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Joy, thank you for your wonderful comment, poetry in and of itself. I did have a fun visit with the baby 🙂 I can’t wait until this summer, to see her running in the grass.
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Peaceful. (K)
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❤
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Lovely stuff. And Bonnie is always a good choice!
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Thanks, Shay. Glad to hear you’re a Bonnie fan. She pretty much walks on water for me.
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This is just lovely, Lisa.
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Thank you ❤
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🙂
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This is a glorious poem. It feels like something encountered in a fading book on a tucked away shelf.
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Wyndolynne and who is to say it isn’t… The image gave me the words. Thank you for sharing your resonation with it.
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Calming poetry much like the tea…
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Thank you, Truedessa.
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At the end of the day she literally lets down her hair, not without the diva’s ritual. Nice one.
Thanks for dropping by my blog today
Much love
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Wonderful comment, Gillena, thank you, and my pleasure at your blog.
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I can almost hear her brushing, even though her daily life when her hair is still braided, and then the end of day approaches… and then the last sentence…
WOW!!!
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🙂 ❤ Glad you connected with it, Syl.
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Great description… “Undone it comes, one plait at a time, in warm gaslight” that flows really well.
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Thank you, Max 🙂
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Lisa, I’ve read your poem several times ~~~ cannot get enough of it ~ amazing how it made me feel nostalgic, young again, vulnerable.
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❤ Dear Helen, I'm glad you connected with this poem. It does the same for me.
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Love that image of letting her hair down at the end of the day. It reminded me of this Li-Young Lee poem: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48803/early-in-the-morning
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What a precious poem that is, achingly spiritual.
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Li-Young Lee is one of my favorite poets
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I can see why!
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Love this, Lisa! Your musical choice is a singer whom I have loved for years.
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Sara, many thanks 🙂
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