Land of Milk and Honey

A very short narrative exploring possible baby blues or is there more to it than that?

We rocked together in the same chair each and every day, forwards and back, forwards and back, creaking and cracking! Me, looking out that narrow window towards the lone, straggling tree, always bare. The stark landscape seemed to mock us and our love as we sat there, rocking, waiting for your daddy to come home and come home he did, though he always left himself behind. 

I’d cup your little feet together and watch as your tiny toes unfurled perfectly, like the first tulip welcoming the dawn in the Garden of Eden, my falling tears the gathering dew. The others always arrive home at same time, hungry, jostling, sniffing the air. They never notice the washed floors, the dustless coffee table, the stained cheeks. Like wolves, the spoils devoured and appetites sated, they slink off to their respectful dens to that which interests them the most. 

With him it is always work, work, work, work! The obligatory kiss on the cheek has even disappeared. You feed from my breast, it keeps you alive, you keep me alive. Some days you draw blood and I bleed and cry at the same time. Nothing can be done. I have given my life over. Maybe this is how it is for everyone at some stage within the land of Milk and Honey?

Reviews

[alanwgraham]

I really enjoyed this Bonny. This is a very wistful, and unfortunately very true to real life, story. Having a baby is an all consuming time and i know from my wife's experiences that post natal depression can spoil what should be a wonderful time. It can also be hard for other family members to empathise. I liked the image of mum and babe on the rocking chair waiting and the stark landscape echoing the mothers mood. This is great writing! Oh - just one possible typo - was due meant to be dew?
All the best,
Alan

[BonnyRivers]

Hi Alan. It is indeed a typo. Many thanks. I even looked at the word itself before publishing and still I pressed 'save'. I wrote this while in Canada. I'd had a baby and found the whole process very difficult as did the hubby obviously but for his own reasons. We have to remember that a woman is still a person in her own right, not just a home maker/care giver. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mother but sometimes, just sometimes it's easy to lose yourself in it all. Thanks so much for the review, means a lot!

[alanwgraham]

Thanks. I didn't want to assume that it was based on personal experience. Life can become very difficult when hormones take over our moods and thought processes (I am bipolar) and we are lucky if we have understanding friends and family around. I've found that writing is a great outlet and we discover that we are not alone. Cheers,
Alan

[BonnyRivers]

Totally agree. I cannot say that I fully experienced post natal depression but definitely prowled around the jagged boundary for a time. May I ask the theme of your novel?

[Samantha Doyle]

AAAAAAAAAAA! I love it! I'm unsure of what else to say honestly