This first Friday in June is time for another Inklings challenge. I am sitting outside on my back deck hoping something will come to me soon. Heidi challenged us with this:
Watch a few videos from the WE DO NOT CARE CLUB on Instagram or other platform. https://www.instagram.com/justbeingmelani/?hl=en Read some comments. Die laughing (or crying).
Write a poem that lists or explains some things that you as a woman no longer care ‘bout for whatever reason. It does not have to be because of peri/menopause. Try to replicate Melani’s deadpan delivery, if that’s possible in a poem. TWIST: include something that you DO care about, that requires you to make space by jettisoning some of the other stuff.
Mary Lee used a conversational tone that I like, so I borrowed her format to write mine.
While we’re sitting here, let me explain
For starters, I don’t care to wear mascara anymore,
no more black goop that smears
every time I cry
which is a lot these days. I care too much sometimes
and my eyes show it.Just so you know, I care about plants,
but I don’t care
to bend over in the heat
to pull out the weeds,
so you may not think I care
until the air cools
(which by the way the forecast looks
won’t be until October).
Deal with it.Here’s the thing, I care about family first,
so I may not answer your call or text
if I’m with my mom, husband, kids,
or grandkids. It’s not that I don’t care
about you, I do.
I’ll get back to you
soon enough.And while we’re on the subject,
you should know
that I care about the white cat at my feet
and the echo of a red cardinal
in the fruit tree. I want this beautiful space
I live in
to last longer.Won’t you sit with me
and write your truth, too?
I would love to know if you accept the invitation to write to this prompt. Leave a comment, if you care (dare).
Be sure to check out Linda’s and Heidi’s “We Do Not Care Club” poems.
Reflections on the Teche 
Brilliant! So many things to care for and as well, not care for. I can relate.
I love the flow from don’t care to care and back again–that conversation tone works so well!
ooooh! I love that ending. Bravo to a red cardinal singing while we write truth.
I like how caring and not caring are all combined in your poem, and you can mistake the two. I like the idea of giving people grace (and room to write). I’d join you, Margaret! xo
Your poem resonates deeply with me today, Margaret. I’ve spent a week visiting my father in the hospital and getting him situated in a longterm care facility. I understand the phone calls and getting back to people – – it’s not that we don’t care – – it’s that family comes first, just as you have reminded us so powerfully today. I feel out of touch with most everything else for the time and attention to Dad, but these are moments that are fleeting. The rest can wait. Thank you for validating these feelings.
I’m sorry you are going through this. I would like to talk when you come up for air. Give me a call.
Oh yes! “The echo of the red cardinal.” What a beautiful image. I love your summer office space. I haven’t worn mascara in years. Apparently I touch my eyes a lot and then the mascara gets in my contacts, and I think I’m about to die, so no mascara for me.
Back at you with the “I’m so glad I know you and can hear your own voice so clearly in (this) poem.” Our poems are sisters in their conversational tone the way we are sisters grown up from dragging Main. I love that you also adopted my I care but I don’t care form! What an excellent challenge Heidi gave us!
I really didn’t know how I wanted to approach it until I read your post. You inspired me. Thanks!
Love your poem Margaret and I will have to try it. The conversational tone is perfect for thinking about how things change with time – we still care, but differently.
You did such a great job at this poem Margaret. I can relate to many of the things you care about (as well as those you don’t) – makeup was my first thought when I started reading your post – I’ll have to give it a go when I feel less swamped. Thanks for showing us how the poem can be done effectively. Love it.
I love Melani (and the napkin she tapes to her chest with her title, “Founding Member of the We Do Not Care Club.” 😁) Your poem captures the beautiful heart of it all, Margaret — it’s a time to care about the things that are worth caring about.
Margaret, great job! I love your conversational voice of caring and not caring. I relate to what you mean in all your stanzas. I especially love your fourth stanza:
“that I care about the white cat at my feetand the echo of a red cardinalin the fruit tree. I want this beautiful spaceI live into last longer.” You always know how to get to the heart of a poem. And the last stanza is so like you inviting someone to write with you.
Margaret, great job! I love your conversational voice of caring and not caring. I relate to what you mean in all your stanzas. I especially love your fourth stanza:
“that I care about the white cat at my feetand the echo of a red cardinalin the fruit tree. I want this beautiful spaceI live into last longer.” You always know how to get to the heart of a poem. And the last stanza is so like you inviting someone to write with you.
Margaret, the Inlkings prompt led you to an honest, touching poem that lets us see a bit more of your life at home. Lately, I have seen more talks about vanity-what is important to make a hit. It is more about what is our inner thoughts. I like your poem’s ending: Won’t you sit with me
and write your truth, too? I keep looking back at the poems I read lately and know that the words flowed from my heart, yet there is so much more to say. Have a wonderful Father’s Day weekend. Being with family is a blessing.