I pick up the pieces that I leave lying around. Pieces dusted daily, always visible. They’re a part of who I am.
Moments of happy that I visit when there’s time. Always with me, kept alive. Fitted in with planning when life leads me away to walk an unexpected line.
I pick up these pieces every day. Pieces of me that are always left around and in the way.
the relaxed housekeeper 
Nice description of how a woman is constantly working and doing but at the same time invisible – we are noticed only when we stop working and still not seen! A sad commentary on society….
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Thanks so much for reading this and starting an important conversation.
Child care and elder care often affect women in a disproportionate way as compared to men. Yes, you are right, that is where this poem starts.
I’ve learned not to ‘pack up’ parts of me when family needs more time, effort and patience. Hence the reference to pieces left lying around and ‘in the way’.
It’s inconvenient at first when women hold on to who they are against all odds. And yet in the long run extremely convenient and desirable because it brings happiness and hobbies to child care and elder care. And improves the quality of life for all the family.
It’s the way it is for me.
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Beautifully expressed.
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Thanks so much Pooja. This poem is important to me personally because it’s how I’ve held on to self despite the pressure to do otherwise.
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I think that’s wonderful and something many can relate with.
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Thanks that nice to know!
I think many are learning to keep things in sight, so they find it easy to ‘pick up the pieces everyday’….
In a very different way to those way to those who pack themselves up and put things away.
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