MAY: Old Lady Arms
This conversation explores the stories written into your body, with deep gratitude to Rosemerry Whatola Trommer at Word Woman.
Dressing for the Wedding
She doesn’t want to wear short sleeves, she says,
because they will show her “old woman arms.”
Sometimes worry is just another word
for wanting to be loved just as we are.
I want to remind her how her arms
have been cradles and rocking chairs.
They’ve been cranes that lifted children
and grandchildren high. Her arms
have been levers and ladders and lifeboats.
They’ve been flagpoles and bridge makers
and chapels. Her arms kneaded the dough of my life
and still hold me when I am tired, broken,
scared, depressed. I hope she wears a sleeveless
dress for no other reason than to show
the whole world how her arms are still
in service to love, and damn, how they can flex.
—by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
May this conversation help alleviate your concerns and foster an appreciation for all that your body does to protect and sustain you.
In what way does the theme of the poem resonate - or not - with you?
If your arms could talk, what would they brag about as their top five accomplishments?
What is one small, everyday way your arms “flex” in service to the people you love?
What part of your body are you learning to feel better about? Tell us about what this learning curve has been like for you.
What did your mom|stepmom feel|say|think about her aging body? How did you interpret her messages? What messages did you give your daughter?
Whose voice rests in the background of how you see your body as you age?
Takeaways.