Grown Girl Advice -- a Poem for dVerse Prosery Night
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| Barbie Doll, dolled up in Pink |
The Mother's Advice
"For
beauty is nothing but the beginning of terror.”
Those my mother's words, as I stepped onto the train after we'd exchanged parting hugs. Irritated me a bit, I'm a grown girl who shouldn't need that kind of advice.
All was well when I chose my bench seat, all forward facing ones were taken in the section I was assigned.
Thinking
those words over, I know in the sight of many I am a pretty girl,
young adult now. Younger less aware should heed them for sure.
My
thought train was interrupted when the fellow next to edged my way,
close making me feel uncomfortable. I gave him a defensive nudge to
hint that he was sitting too close.
He didn't take that hint, played it like an invitation to come some closer. I jumped up, changed my seat.
Mom,
you were right.
_ _ _
- Poem Copyright, Jimmiehov 2023, All Rights Reserved
- I'm linked with Mish at dVerse, Prosery Night ,
- Mish has a Poet tonight, Rainer Maria Rilke, chosen for us and are instructed to right a piece of prose, not more than 144 words, including the title. That first line of his poem, “The First Elegy”, Duinos Elegies, was the opening line of my writing here, The Mother's Advice.'
- Click here to read the writings of other participants.
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Labels: dVerse, Family, Fiction, Prose, Story, Things to know, Travel
posted by Jim @ 7/17/2023 04:50:00 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
An interesting story Jim. Good use of the prompt
I'm glad she realized early her mom was right. It's a man's world out there and naivete is so quickly exploited :(
I have those sorts of realizations all the time about my own mother's wisdom. Smooth prose, Jim.
I suppose her mother was only looking out for her, but as we know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You don’t have to be beautiful to be a monster’s prey. I’ve always felt uncomfortable on public transport – one is never sure who or what the other travellers might be. ‘I'm a grown girl who shouldn't need that kind of advice’ are famous last words.
Interesting where the prompt took you Jim. Thanks for dropping by my blog
Much💜love
Those creepers on trains--and anywhere--are horrible.
This is all too common, as you know, Jim.
A reality well captured.
Much love,
David
SkepticsKaddish.com
More women should give a sharp nudge accompanied by a very loud, 'Go away!' Very few of us do. We settle for feeling uncomfortable because to object usually results in verbal abuse.
Mama knew best. Thanks for bringing attention to the topic.
Of course she was ... (I was and still am - I hope.)
It's usually advisable to listen to your mother, well in sometimes😊
There are brash adults who would unnecessarily act rudely to pretty young girls who travel alone! They cowardly do it when male adults are not around!
Hank
Grade seven or eight, my brother nudged me on the school bus. "The X brat's picking on the little Y girl." We saw the two X boys standing up, leaning in. We stood up and leaned in too. Seeing us, the neighbor kids who followed us as we stopped at the store for refreshments stood up too. There were nine of them altogether, five bigger than I was. Somebody nudged the older Y girl, who stood up too. One of the X boys growled at his little sister, "Sit still and leave her alone!" She did. Everyone sat down again. There was no more trouble. The X boys would have had no qualms about starting a fight with the older Y girl, but seeing that other people were taking an interest settled all three X brats right down.
I wish more women had memories like this to call on when young women object to street terrorism.
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