The Reluctant Sisterhood

Written some ten years ago, for an earlier friend, and thought it might be of use to a current friend!

THE RELUCTANT SISTERHOOD

 

I belong to a Club, and it ain't no good...

    The day I joined was a sad, sad date

    Some members are young, but others quite late

Are the gals of the Reluctant Sisterhood!

 

To become a member, none willingly would

    Alas, for some, it's just our Fate,

    To lose too soon our cherished mates

Have the girls of the Reluctant Sisterhood

 

We share our Pains, our Joys, too;

     Our Successes and our Woes

 

You help me, and I help you--

     We keep each other on our toes!

 

How Frail, How Strong, How Glad, How Good

     Are we of the Reluctant Sisterhood!

 

 

Reviews

[Seriana]

What a nice way to give a friend the gentle touch of your hand for such a difficult subject matter. I am sure it must be a lonely place, this Reluctant Sisterhood. One I, myself, am never looking forward to. But your words here give hope that such a place it manageable. Calming, gentle, encouraging words. Love it Mark!

[Samuel Dickens]

How nice of you to give a friend some poetic, encouraging "bracing up." Great writing as always, Mark.

[Snapdragon]

This brought a lump to my throat. It's not a club any of us want to join, unfortunately we get our membership card anyway. I thought this was sincere, sweet and sympathetic. Lovely job on this. Best wishes to you and your friend.

[Ruth]

Wow, what a place!
A place for the spill of the heart and what does that heart say? A myriad of things passed with years, awesome hon! xx

[LSS]

Another wonderful poem, Mark. I see what the others see. But I see too other branches in that same tree.
LSS

[David Lewis Paget]

Sadly, the ladies left behind outnumber the men, as we - so a Sister in a Nursing Home explained to me - 'once inside a Nursing Home the men get on with the business of dying, while the women hang on forever'. I suppose that's true in life outside Nursing Homes too. Men who have retired, who have made their work their life, often die within a couple of years, probably of sheer boredom. The ladies are used to being at home, so nothing really changes for them. Of course, they also have a greater life expectancy than men, so your poem rings true; the 'reluctant' sisterhood. Well crafted.
David.