The
Life and Times of Violet Elizabeth
My
what a beautiful baby. Strong, healthy and bright as a button.
Never
mind her not being a boy.
Take
no notice. A girl is easier to raise than a boy. More pliant and
sweet.
It
used to be different of course.
“You
will need a son to ‘provide’, take care of you when you get old.”
Where
did that come from I wonder?
How
many men do you know, who care for their elderly rellies?
As
she grew, all that was forgotten. Delightful!
Enchanting! What a Darling.
So
sweet in her frilly wee socks.
She
does have her tantrums of course, and doesn’t she know her own mind?
But
then, what is new about that!
As
she grows she’s a bit of a tomboy, as she joins in the rough and the
tumble.
But
cries when she’s hurt by the boys.
Soon
she will learn that to stay in the picture,
other ways will have to be found.
Poor
Violet Elizabeth. She tries to join in. Why won’t they let her join
in?
She
can run, climb and hide.
She
may be spunky, but they won’t let her play, she can’t be one of
the gang.
She’s
clever too. But is that a problem?
Should
she compete or co-operate, defer to her elders and betters.
In
order to join in the fun.
But
the top boy won’t let her, she’s only a girl, and his gang is only
for boys
Now
she’s learning what everyone likes. Look pretty and help mum and
gran.
Drama
Queen they can take in
small doses.
Doing
homework’s a bit of a bore, a drag and a chore
But
she knows it’s the way to get on.
Now
she is coming into her own, her brothers are spotty and gauche.
While
Mum and Dad worry about him.
Her
paths are perfectly clear. Wife and mother, career girl, leading lady,
a star.
What
a beauty, how clever, what promise. Sparks desire wherever she goes.
Every
cygnet a beautiful swan
Looking
after her man, her mother and child. Good grades, brains and beauty!
What
more could anyone want?
Now
the past, the present the future, her station in life wife and mother
.
While
her man gets on with his job.
She
struggles with, juggles with family life, if she wants to have all
that is promised.
In
the wide, wide world, other issues arise. She wants to join in, to
enter the fray.
‘Bin
there done that’ as they say.
She
knows about kids, and ‘community life’. Knows about doctors and
teachers and vets.
About
aging and housing and rubbish.
She
knows about health and living conditions, and finance and pensions and
politics.
Though
Violet Elizabeth’s a treasure.
These
are serious issues that need first class brains to sort out.
She
knows about wars, and fighting and killing. She knows about cruel and
violent men.
And
the power of church and of state.
But
Violet Elizabeth’s a woman – what can she possibly say – that we
do not already know?
Run
along Violet Elizabeth.
Go
do your womanly things, serious stuff is man’s business, and needs
men to sort it all out!
Join
in, speak, write if you must?
But
please keep out of our way, don’t argue, confront us - and certainly
don’t contradict.
May
2005
