The Housewife Poet

I have never officially called myself a poet. Writing poetry has always been a private activity for me. I rarely tell even my family about one of my poems. Writing poetry is such an individual, intimate experience. Most of the time, my ideas for a poem hit me spontaneously. No one really knows that I may be writing a poem at the kitchen table as my kids eat lunch. I think that I like keeping my poetry as my own little secret. It is not a conscious decision to hold my poetry so close. It may be my way of holding on to a part of me that is not wife or mommy. This poetic part of me brings peace to a usually hectic day. This poetic part of me brings clarity to a sometimes distracted perspective.

I claim to want to be published. But I have to wonder if I like being the only audience for my poems. I write out these poems like a personal diary filled with bits and pieces of me. Maybe that's why I feel protective of releasing them to others' scrutiny. Calling myself a poet sounds like a public declaration. Most of my day is about being a housewife/mother first. Poetry steps forward at times in my life. When that inspiration hits me, I respond. But I always circle back to caring for my children and home. So it may be fitting to think of myself as The Housewife Poet. Maybe it's not as regal as other poet titles, but it defines me right now.