[Critique Group 2] 35-line poem for August 29 critique session

[Alice Massa]

NOTE:Revised slightly on this August 22, 2019, the following poem was 
originally written for the Hadley course Elements of Poetry (Assignment 
5, Exercise 8).The 2012 version of this poem appeared in the fall/winter 
issue of MAGNETS AND LADDERS; however, another editor did not care for 
the poem, could not understand the poem, and wanted me to change parts 
of the poem.Choosing not to make the changes requested by an editor, I 
withdrew the poem from submission.Now, seven years later, re-visiting 
this poem (which, in 2012, I believed was one of my best poems to date), 
I found that I could revise it ever so slightly.I added one word to one 
line, added a phrase, and broke some stanzas a little differently.I 
think only Valerie has previously had an opportunity to read this 
poem.Is the poem understandable to each of you?

*To a Roomful of Young Mothers*

**

*(A poetic letter Never Mailed, Circa 1975)*

by Alice Jane-Marie Massa

I know when, in a room full of people,

I felt most alone—

most different.

No, not when I was the only blind person:

I could and can easily deal with those common occurrences.

In a beige room, with wood-paneled walls,

you, the several young women, sitting on over-stuffed chairs and sofa,

softly and happily conversing about your children and babies,

made me feel the most alone—

the most different.

Echoes from the motherhood kept swirling around me,

but you all went on and on—

your never including me,

my never finding an entry door to your hood.

In the midst of cacophony,

I knew that I fully accepted the news

of a Saint Louis specialist’s telling me,

at age21,

that I should never have children.

Compliant, I could live with never having babies;

but could I exist with never being a part

of the mother-klatch?

Exercising nonconformity,

I never wanted to pledge a sorority;

nevertheless, even after college,

you formed other sororities

to which I could never belong.

I accept that I am a peripheral person:

I am childless, but I am joyfully dogful

and blessedly bookful.

Dear young ladies

who could only talk on one topic,

thank you for letting me find and adopt

other circles of cherubic complacency.

number of words:228

number of lines:35

Talk with you on August 29!

Alice

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