Our Lady of the Pootens

wikimedia commons

public domain in the United States

Lamentation of Christ, Erfurt, c. 1480, limewood, original colours

Skulpturensammlung (Inv. 5930, erworben 1910), Bode-Museum, Berlin

Photo: Andreas Praefcke 

He called me “our lady of the pootens,”

“pootens” being those

creatures who could not

survive on their own.

 

The appellation was not meant in honor

nor in love really--

A sense of the sardonic maybe,

the inevitable,

as I picked up yet another

hurt and hungry animal

to harbor for a time,

until it healed,

or died.

 

He didn’t know that was empathy.

He wanted it to be something else,

a space that I carved out

only for him

a space for him

to heal,

or die.

But I couldn’t do it for him.

I just couldn’t.

 

 

copyright/all rights reserved 2012 Audrey Howitt 

Reviews

[ba_mcfarlane]

He wanted it to be something else,

a space that I carved out

only for him

"Thy name is enabling."

[Mary]

Sad poem- a would be love accusing not celebrating the fact his love might be "Our Lady of the Pootens." some people think that love and empathy is a limited resource, and that is really sad.

[Audrey Howitt]

It is a sad place to be! Thank you so much for reading it and understanding it

[Tina Kline]

Love and caring can't be forced and some do see it as weakness. I really enjoyed this a lot and the strong emotions in it.

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you TinaK

[asdarkeyesclose]

'But I couldn’t do it for him.

I just couldn’t.'

This is very powerful, it is impossible to not love animals when they are hurt. i loved the ending, it sent a shiver down my spine! fantastic.

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you!

[cartera]

Excellent metaphor. This critic in the poem is probably needing some pootenising, but won't admit it.
Loved it.
ATB
Alex.

[Audrey Howitt]

Hi Alex--thank you so much!

[emmajoy]

One can only do one thing at a time when it comes to caring .. a bundle of words, a hugful of remedies, a gentleness of thought .. you're who you are and must surely be proud of being able to write such touching poetry and know that inside every letter is love. In the process of caring for others = two or four legged, you need just a little understanding that sometimes, just sometimes, there have to be priorities.

'Pootens', a new word for me .. and somehow beautiful.

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Emma! Pootens is a fun word isn't it?

[Pax]

beautifully express my friend..very much touching...its like a spiritual journey...
great job!

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you so much Willyam!

[Ed Hart]

to reach out from our heart is easy enough; but you are right, never for the wrong reason...you are always giving clear expression to our great journey

[Audrey Howitt]

As do you Ed--as do you--thank you!

[SHEEMA HUQ]

I like this endearingly written piece, i like the image too, Audrey, she could be european, middle easter, south asian...thanks...ah now i see, a lamentation of Christ, forgive me!

[Audrey Howitt]

Thank you Sheema---