Thursday, May 21, 2015

Marthas

by Cheryl Merrick

In a society of Marthas,
where expectations are defined
     by their strengths,
a homemaking standard is set.

Required are exhausting hours
     of cooking, cleaning, and errand running.

Monday, May 11, 2015

My Poems

My poems are my journal; a record of my feelings, fears, hopes, dreams, challenges, and joys.

They have been written over many years and some of the concerns I had then do not worry me now. I am always changing. My poems are a record of my journey.

Surprise!

by Cheryl Merrick

Who would have guessed
that such a serious thinker
would have so much fun
managing a home?

Thriving on the challenge
of making all go smoothly,
expressing my creativity,
gratefully enjoying the opportunity
to nurture and study,
a new fulfillment is growing.

Preparing a Feast

by Cheryl Merrick

Like freshly baked bread,
     the book lies open 
     upon the table,
the afternoon spent
     in carefully preparing
     its ideas to share.
A few bits of food 
     are hastily added,
     and the feast is ready.    

Marching

by Cheryl Merrick

Like a call to arms
“It must be done!”
Is shouted from each front door.

Inside each busy, orderly home,
they begin their day
of caring for their superfluous possessions,
and managing their complicated schedules.

Letting Go!

by Cheryl Merrick

I thought my husband wouldn’t want to do it.
I thought it was all my responsibility,
and feared failing in my duty if I didn’t do everything myself.
Pridefully, I thought only I could keep up our home;
that only I knew what needed to be done and how to do it.

Filled with a desire to feel competent, independent, 
in control of my life, and needed,
I despairingly compared my efforts 
with all the cumulative accomplishments of other women.

In between Age

by Cheryl Merrick

I’m at that in between age.
Though being a teen
is something I’ve not recently seen,
I am in between.

My children have grown,
and nearly all flown.
But married they’re not,
and grandchildren I have not.
So till then, 
I stay in between.

How?

by Cheryl Merrick

How can a philosopher possibly be 
a homemaker?

I don’t enjoy endless hours performing small tasks precisely,
preferring instead to spend my time pondering the scriptures.

Neither do I fold sheets, bake cakes, 
or pull unwanted plants out of the ground,
instead I savor time to write my thoughts.

Wanted - Homemaker

by Cheryl Merrick

Salary - none
Hours - every waking hour seven days a week
Position - middle management
Work Environment - home
Retirement - none
Vacations - none; work harder

A Homemaker's Roles

by Cheryl Merrick

Daughter of God
Wife
Mother
Housekeeper
Teacher
Nurse
Cook
Dietitian
Menu Planner
Secretary
Social Coordinator

Homemaker

by Cheryl Merrick

Homemaker
Nurturer of Souls
Body and Spirit

Home

by Cheryl Merrick

Home
     a place for family and friends
     to gather, eat, and share.

Home
     a quiet retreat
     for gathering thoughts.

Home
     a puttering place
     for hobbies and projects.

Home A Refuge

by Cheryl Merrick

Home
A Refuge
of Love 
and Beauty


Hidden Costs

by Cheryl Merrick

Encouraged by glib assurances of
“You can afford it.”
“Your family deserves it” and
“Besides it will increase in value”,
they sign the contract for the luxury home.

As the years pass, the “hidden costs”
begin to appear.

The Path to Happiness

by Cheryl Merrick

From the movie screen and acclaimed authorities
oozes glitzy, golden promises.
They confidently claim
the path to happiness
will be found in acquiring more:

Fulfillment

by Cheryl Merrick

Encouraged by society to
“Seek her fulfillment”,
the mother leaves the 
“Stifling environment of home”
and enters
”the liberating work force.”
Where she is promised
“stimulating adult communication”,
“recognition of her abilities”,
and “money to buy all the things she wants.”

Fortress

by Cheryl Merrick

Founded on correct principles,
    block, by block, by block,
As I study, pray, and ponder,
    it becomes strong,
Becoming a fortress
    that will withstand storms,
a house of faith and learning,
a refuge of order, comfort,
    and peace. 

Eternity

by Cheryl Merrick

Can you comprehend eternity?
It goes on forever and never ends. 
I can, for I’m a homemaker
and eternity is something I can see
in a pile before me.
The Laundry

Emerging

by Cheryl Merrick

Like a butterfly emerging
from its dowdy chrysalis
our home is emerging,
Though essentially the same
it now has a new form
Comfortable and safe
Simple and beautiful

Distracted

by Cheryl Merrick

“Encumbered much”
the woman busily
rushes through
her day.

Her home hectic,
she confuses
mere movement
with purposeful action,

And thus is surely led
far from the eternal course
she was seeking.

7 - 11

by Cheryl Merrick

Could this be me?
All this flab I see.
I ate and ate
and vowed jogging I’d not be found.
That’s why my petite 7
 is now a
sedate eleven.

Let Go

by Cheryl Merrick

If you have faith in me,
let go.
If you trust me,
let go.
If you believe my promises,
let go,
I will exalt you on high,
If you will only - 
Let Go.

Happiness

by Cheryl Merrick

Is in the giving
not the getting
Not in having
but in sharing
In offering help
instead of snatching for yourself
In concern for others
instead of self absorption

Half Empty or Half Full?

by Cheryl Merrick

Do I see the cup as half empty,
     Or half full?
Am I grateful for what I can do,
     Or am I resentful of my limitations?
Do I feel thankful for all the kind things
     My husband does for me,
     Or feel frustrated about what he doesn’t do?

Greater Wisdom

by Cheryl Merrick

I thought to respond
issue by issue 
to her misconceptions

Praying to instead
do His will,
I sent a scripture and 
shared my testimony

Her heart was touched,
and my spirit humbled,
by His
Greater Wisdom

Gaining Understanding

by Cheryl Merrick

How can we truly understand
hot without cold
hard without soft
smooth without bumpy
short without long
sweet without bitter
kindness without rudeness
gentle without rough
health without sickness