Hello, women. I've found time to write another poem. This one is free verse. Enjoy.

[we say child you have got to bear down]
Cherie E. H.

we do not feel the iron press closer
cold drafts around the kitchen floor
travel up our bare feet, long legs
hands shoulders voices clicking
cellophane giggles cellular beeps.
we cringe we bear down and scrub
away at porcelin dishes and plastic
sippy cups food crust chips away
under soapy water and dishpan hands.
scrub. soak. clatter. clack. curse.

we know quiet limits, we know do not
spread your chastity thin or else
keep those lips closed or face

A pantoum is a poem with the second and fourth lines repeated as the first and third lines of the next quatrain, and the first line repeated as the last line. It has an abab rhyme scheme. I just wrote this for my poetry class tomorrow. Enjoy!

1963
Cherie E. H.

Desperation sinks into her skin;
the castor oil is hot in her hand.
Something's growing deep within...
she doesn't expect us to understand.

The castor oil is hot in her hand.
It's lucky about her father's heart
(she doesn't expect us to understand),
his quinidine tabs are held apart.

It's lucky about her father's heart;