September 27, 2009 | Ian Bland | Leave a comment Photo By Jools Thatcher The theme for this week’s JVG Radio Method is “Ladies” [audio:JVG_Poem20090927.mp3] Ed Bates back in the guitar chair. Ladies “This way thank you Ladies – Hold still” – A blinding light A photograph is taken; graduation night The Sonia Beal Deportment School – 1953 Turning young girls into ladies – whatever that might be A portrait of a moment – one fraction of a second Frozen for all time – the future ever to be reckoned Youth and hopes eternal; unchanging, bound, exposed A moment left behind even as the shutter closed Behind the smiles; the dreams – never crushed or realised Endless possibilities, still awaiting, paralysed Destined for a cupboard; forgotten, creased and torn A postcard to their grandkids forty years before they’re born Discovered decades later in the drawer where it was tossed Along with other keepsakes, their relevance long lost “God she looks so beautiful, so happy – so alive!” All that was and might have been in that moment still survives And the benefit of knowing how her story would unfold The joy and disappointments – a story often told They giggle at the hairstyles and the formal, graceful air Try to tap her thoughts through the static, distant stare Like a mirror spanning time and space where none and nought can pass Still, logic won’t dissuade from putting fingers to the glass They wonder at her motives, how she chose to live her life Schooled in etiquette and manners – to become the perfect wife That pressure, peer and family endured by older generations They would never tolerate to meet others expectations They will have an education and excel at their career Slot in Motherhood and social life – in balance and without fear They will have and do it all, they’re told, content with nothing less More modern, enlightened expectations redefine success “This way thank you Ladies – Hold still – Hold still – One more” Another postcard begins its journey in the bottom of a drawer © Copyright 2009 Ian Bland Share this:TweetEmailMoreTelegram