Southern Bell-Day
Originally uploaded by southern_crafts
a nameless woman in the South
walks in high heels and white gown
at home alone with her little boy
perfectly affectionate, playing with a toy
no questions, little to say
he kisses her goodnight every day
Daddy's taught the boy and Momma
to be just what they oughta
Daddy made his perfect family
with the boy he used to be
Creativity is normal, but she'll have to watch her step
Cuz Daddy doesn't like when Mom's ideas begin to hurt his rep
He's a stranger to Momma
though he knows her awful well
He doesn't understand the trauma
she wasn't made to be a "belle"
She looks around at the perfect life he made
He comes and uses all the kisses that he saved
but they were meant for the girl who saves more face
those kisses belong to her, with the grace
The little boy comes to show Momma his new train set
Daddy follows to show what good things money can get
Momma lays on the floor, sewing needle in one hand
the other one is drenched in blood
the boy says "Momma, are you dead?"
Can't someone please explain the "perfect life?"
It drives us mad, seeing that truth does not suffice
Don't close your eyes to the problems of the world
Stay strong, don't let yourself become unfurled
A mother is much more than a mother
as a friend is more than just a friend
people should always know they are people
and show the truth, though it may offend
without self-expression we are all dead
pretending perfection pushes our minds into red
(inspired by "A Sorrowful Woman," a short story by Gail Godwin)
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