After hearing everyone else's story, she decides it's time to tell her own.

listening for perspective, taking small steps, building on small wins

May 12, 2025

The Motherless Lineup

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

The motherless lineup shuffles in.
Their height measured in grief.

Behind the glass a woman is asked,
"which one she be?"

She cut off the woman who gave her life 
to protect herself from
having her life 
taken.

She has no means of seeing the woman 
who gave her life
to share with her life 
and spends Saturday morning
polishing stone with her name.

She has a seat next to her mother in church
yet no seat next to her on the couch
because she was never really meant to be heard -
just to be seen.

She has an obligated phone date for 
critiquing every inch of her being
from the way she eats 
to the way she thinks
defeating the purpose of putting hundreds of miles 
between.

She has her praises slurred to her
told repeatedly how much she's loved.
Holding back dreams because she's afraid
of what would happen if she'd leave.

She has makeup for various occasions
bruising is left behind 
teaching her lessons 
"she was never taught"
whispering 
"it’s good for you"
as she turns off the light.

The woman reviews her choices
but sees she is not there.

She tucks her story 
under a smile
and walks in to join the line.

Write

We might see pieces of ourselves in others but we are the only ones living life from the point of view and the experiences we are living. There might be people like you, but nobody is you but you.

What parts of yourself might be similar to others? What parts of yourself is unique from others?

Share with me what you learn about yourself —> here.

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Notes

Poetry is not always autobiographical.

It’s the risk of being a writer. Sharing stories and people assuming it’s about the author’s personal first hand experience. Not always the case.

Being a good listener is imperative to being a good writer.

It’s often times a stew of stories gleaned while listening. Being a good listener and observer is imperative to creating. Have a real curiosity and take interest in the lives of others. Seek to understand and experiment with trying on other people’s lenses.

Listen and write small.

Listen for the unusual.
Listen for the unique turn of phrase.
Listen for “burnt socks”.

Ralph Fletcher is one of the best on teaching writing. He encourages teaching “writing small.” Instead of describing war in generalities, describe the burnt child’s size sock on the side of the road.

Listen and then - don’t be lazy.

Write it down.
Half the battle of writing is just writing.

Get out the pen or the notes app on the phone and just take a moment to capture the thought.

In the book Let Them a count down method is suggested. The author counts describes how she counts down from five: 5-4-3-2-1 and then does the thing that needs done. She claims that after five seconds, it becomes too easy to talk yourself out of acting.

Try it. Not just for writing but for other tasks as well.

Success breeds success.

If you’re struggling in any area of life, including getting any writing done, try to get something accomplished. Start with a small win.

Then try for another small win.

Then another.

Let the small wins build up your confidence and stamina to accomplish bigger wins.

Try it. See what happens.

Share with me your experience—> here.