Poem: From history’s unwritten pages

[RoyalCorgi]

I don't know who Dorasalter is, but this is amazing:

twitter.com/Dorasalter/status/1421877383813083141

And sears into this modern world
The likeness of a little girl
Who’s long been schooled in abject shame
But not yet learned to speak its name.

Yes - it's moving, elegaic and a blow right where it hurts. So many, too many, and largely unrecorded.

archived to make it easier to read as one thread: archive.is/E8Fnd

That's me!

I'm on Mumsnet normally under a different handle (although not really active these days, mostly sporadic lurking).

I'm not a writer, and I really wanted to do justice to women, so I'm relieved that you felt what I felt, and I'm grateful to you for reading and sharing.

Being on Mumsnet made me realise, a few years back, how awesome women can be, and that was my first real visceral step into understanding feminism and what it's all about. So getting a mention on here really means a lot to me.

So I've changed names, really just to say hello and thank you.

xxxxx

@dorasalter

That's me!

I'm on Mumsnet normally under a different handle (although not really active these days, mostly sporadic lurking).

I'm not a writer, and I really wanted to do justice to women, so I'm relieved that you felt what I felt, and I'm grateful to you for reading and sharing.

Being on Mumsnet made me realise, a few years back, how awesome women can be, and that was my first real visceral step into understanding feminism and what it's all about. So getting a mention on here really means a lot to me.

So I've changed names, really just to say hello and thank you.

xxxxx

You're amazing

"And all of her daughters, finding each other"

Yes.

Thank you dorasalter. That made me weep.

@dorasalter
You bloody are a writer, my friend.
That's magnificent.

@chickenyhead thank you. Even just a brief look over your comments here, and I can tell you with confidence that you're the amazing one.

I hope life is treating you well. xxx

Strong stuff!
Got any more?

@royalcorgi From the heart, thank you. xxxx

@EmbarrassingAdmissions
Thank you. And yes, it's the invisibility more than anything that makes me weep sometimes. xxxx

@teaandstrumpets Yes indeed. Thank you. xxxxx

@mrsovertonswindow I wept when I wrote it. Thank you, that means a lot xxxxx

@Barracker Thank you, that means a lot. xxx

@ErrolTheDragon Thank you. Yes I have!
Lately I've been listing all the derogatory words for women that exist in the English language. (There are a lot!)
I'd like to put them together in a kind of "these are a few of my favourite things" or "I am the very model of a modern major general" type of format.
Just a long list of the shitty ways to refer to women, really.
It would be great to collaborate if anyone wants to join in. xxxxxx

Thank you, dorasalter - you’re a very talented poet and this is a wonderful poem. I so love the final line!

Thank you @magpiecastle. xxxxx

Thanks so much to all of you, and if you're ever feeling dispirited and in need of inspiration:

Here's a woman who lives what she believes, and whom I admire so much that it would be weird if she wasn't so obviously brilliant.

You will cry, and roar, I promise xxxxx

jeanhatchet.blogspot.com/2018/11/emma-humphreys-prize-my-speech.html

That’s a wonderful piece of poetry. Amazing. I admit I clicked on the link thinking it might be a bit shit but was blown away. I want to read more (and so glad to hear you’re a Mumsnetter)

@dorasalter, that's really, really good.

A lot of poems get the 'meh' from me, but not that one.

I'm so glad you're on here, @dorasalter! It's such a powerful poem.

Thank you for the thread Royal and the wonderful poem dorasalter!

A follow from me, looking forward to more

That poem is now printed out above my desk.

More, please.

Ha ha, @ScoldsBridle and @GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman. Agreed. No rational person reads a poem on the internet expecting anything but disappointment. I'm pretty sure that's just science.

Thank you for your lovely words. xxxxx

Fantastic poem x

Thank you both @vivariumvivariumsvivaria and @DaisiesandButtercups.

And thank you for sharing in the first place @RoyalCorgi xxx

xxxx