The Wisdom of Women

January 14, 2022

The following poem represents my thoughts on food storage in relation to the wisdom of the women who came before us, the women we are now and the women we can become for the women who come after us. It was published in the literary journal, The Leaf in the Fall of 2014.

The Wisdom of Women

Food storage,

summer’s savour suspended

welcome warmth in winter,

mother’s meals in a moment,

gastronomic gifts under glass,

and faith-filled fare for friends.

Neighbourly nourishment,

labour of love,

memories of masters,

mothers, sisters, friends,

joiner of generations,

and legacy of learning.

Harmonious harvest,

rows of re-assurance and relief,

hope and healing,

shelves of soldiers ready to serve,

freedom in a jar, a basket, a bag, a bin,

pails of peace and plenty,

and inspired income insurance.

Some 40 years later I realize

full shelves were never the goal.

Food transformed into opportunity,

a way to learn and grow,

to live, love, and let go,

sublime steps along our mortal journey.

This is the wisdom of women

as revealed

through the parable of food storage.