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.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Daughter of God
Wife
Mother
Housekeeper
Teacher
Nurse
Cook
Dietitian
Menu Planner
Secretary
Social Coordinator
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 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.
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.
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:
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.”
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.
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
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
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.
“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.
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.
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
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?
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
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)