A Story of Our Own

We lived in the gaps between the stories.
A Handmaid's Tale ~ Margaret Atwood

We live in the pauses before
climax or post-conclusion
of various histories

flesh / bone
dissolves
thought / word
prevails

We reveal hair-line faults
in sinking foundations
of the universe

boots / fists
decay
lyrics / songs
remain

We persist on the outskirts
of misfortune’s village
neighborhood

frown / scowl
drowning
care / concern
floating

We have jumped over gaps
between the cracks
hand in hand

names / numbers
squared
scars / smiles
shared

We will complete the arcs
of our stifled sisters'
dislocated stories



I wrote this poem several years ago, while reading The Handmaid's Tale, and have revisited it for Sherry's Wordy Thursday  challenge to write for women in our times. I needed revision, but the essence remains the same, as the role of women and gender stereotyping does not yet seem to have reached its Renaissance.