Hello!
I’m Ange and I find myself writing little (sometimes longer) poems about the wonder and worth that exists in those around me. Most of my poetry is inspired by the women in my community and the barriers, systems and expectations that so commonly run through our stories. I work in healthcare and writing is my place to put the everyday treasure, challenges, injustice and hope I witness. The worth within the unplatformed and less measurable things within community. The care that deserves to be honoured and valued for the true power it holds (where patriarchy tries to convince us of its worthlessness and invisibility).
I’m mostly writing ‘in the gaps’ between work commitments, school pick ups, kids’ club drop offs and bedtime stories. But the foundation of my writing feels like it takes root in the ongoing daily interactions that grow over days, or years….
Thought seeds planted at the school gates.
Bowled over by a single mum caring for her child with additional needs.
Enraged by the systems that delay or deny her resources.
Overwhelmed by the depth and difference that support from a faithful friend on a really hard day makes.
Maddened by the culture of blame that shames women subjected to abuse and protects abusive men.
Moved by the words of a friend with chronic illness, for whom ‘slow living’ is not a choice.
Exasperated by the messages bombarding new Mums for who the bar is set so high, whatever the quality of voices and support around her.
Inspired by the amazing women who set up the service that wasn’t available when they needed it and long to see women after them thrive.
The organic kind of communities where power and ‘productivity’ are never the goals. Not a big quick fix, but roots growing slowly. Where the deep ripples of change ring out quietly and nobody quite knows who to credit, but we know we have experienced something so shared and life-giving.
(Tangent!…) Have you experienced any of these kind of communities? What was it that made them feel so incredibly special and deep reaching?
I’d love know how you started writing, what stirred you to words? Why do you keep putting pen to paper (or finger to phone!) and who or what inspires you to keep going?
I wrote this little poem after a friend had our kids for a couple of hours when I was feeling really overwhelmed. Blessed are the friends who don’t seek to rescue and take control, but lift some weight off me, allowing me the room to breathe and create.
Thanks for reading (or listening!).
Wishing you a gentle week,
Ange x
Lovely piece Ange, as a busy mum, working outside of the home, I relate to your premise for writing. I wrote below on why I write, almost as a shopping list, when I started here on Substack late last year. See what you think.
https://open.substack.com/pub/theseainme/p/why-i-write-a-reflection?r=46rss&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
“But the foundation of my writing feels like it takes root in the ongoing daily interactions that grow over days, or years….
Thought seeds planted at the school gates.“
Absolutely love this!