Olde Woman Who Lived In A Shoe

by kiwisteveh

Oh, life was very different then, it seems.

Let it be known that times were truly grim.

Did no one hear the pitiful, childish screams

Each night as the light was steadily growing dim?

Who among us has ever borne the pain

Of poverty, with offspring by the score?

Mystery shrouds how she even stayed quite sane

And stuck in that shoe with its soulless creaking floor!

No wonder she cracked and didn't know what to do

With children about from toe to rundown heel,

Hungry and huddled in a tiny worn out shoe;

On broth they dined sans pain for their only meal.

Little we know of hardships they all felt

In quarters so cramped and lacking a crust of bread

Visited nightly with whip or leathern belt.

Each of them surely experienced awful dread.

Did you think I could conjure a magical end

In this godawful tale of childhood abuse?

Neighbours, a wizard, a godmother friend?

A dogooder hero to set these kids loose?

Sorry, we're not in a fantasy land,

Horrors are many and miracles few.

Oh, for a world where such nightmares are banned -

Evil olde woman who lived in a shoe!

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Acrostic Poetry Contest contest entry

Recognized

I've had to use the olde version of old to get an even number for my rhyme scheme - so sue me!

sans pain --> without bread

Here's the traditional version of the nursery rhyme:

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.
She had so many children, she didn't know what to do.
She gave them some broth without any bread;
And whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.

For a stunning different approach to the old rhyme, read Sara Henderson's wonderful but grim sonnet 'I remember Mama' found here:
https://fromtroublesofthisworld.wordpress.com/2014/02/02/i-remember-mama-by-sarah-henderson-hay/

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Olde Woman Who Lived In A Shoe

by kiwisteveh

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