The Women’s Shelter: Day 16
Who you are, didn’t matter.
What you said at three in the morning
to Maria, Guiseppa,
sitting around the oak table:
Day sixteen in the shelter—
peeling potatoes, carrots.
Food provided by Le Garde Manger.
Who you are, didn’t matter.
Walled garden.
Grey-painted balcony.
A clothesline.
He called you: “Puttana.”
Red tile roof.
Pool and sauna.
Nineteen mohair sweaters you knitted.
Jasmine, wild rose.
Apple trees.
“How often were you battered?”
Who you are, didn’t matter:
Leaves turning scarlet, sienna.
In your crisis worker’s office,
with the stained glass door.
Seeking refuge in 20th century Anjou.
A bad marriage—
He argued against the separation.
18 Karat gold. Diamonds.
Four children.
Rental properties.
Overseas family trips.
By the river.
Acacia hills.
Previously published at:
Nashwaak Review – Volume 26-27 – St. Thomas University
Poppy poet preaches self-empowerment
Further Reading:
Photo Credit:
Photo courtesy of Ilona Martonfi
From: ilona.martonfi@sympatico.ca
Ilona Martonfi
Guest Author Bio
Ilona Martonfi
Ilona Martonfi A first book of poems, Blue Poppy, was published with Coracle Press in 2009. A second collection, Black Grass, (Broken Rules Press) published 2012. Poems have appeared in Vallum, Accenti, The Fiddlehead, Serai, and various other magazines. Poet, editor, teacher. Founder and producer/host of The Yellow Door and Visual Arts Centre Poetry and Prose Readings, co-founder of Lovers and Others. I won the QWF 2010 Community Award.
Blog / Website: Ilona Martonfi https://profiles.google.com/
Recent Guest Author Articles:
- Between Judgment and Hope: Navigating the Gray Areas of the Justice System
- Empowered to Advocate: How to Become the Voice for the Silent
- How to Build a Celebration-Ready Wine Cellar
- Wander, Discover, Reflect: My Most Surprising Finds in Las Vegas
- Creating Meaningful Connections: What Ecosystems and Families Teach Us About Belonging
Hi Ilona,
How are you doing? Such a dramatic poem, saying so much with so few words! Brillant!
Hi Martha, Thanks, Nice to see you here! I like your writing, humour!