Where is that woman?

Where is that hopeful young woman

Stress weary and scarred

Mother to three young children

Landed in a beautiful mountain town

So full of hope?

Where is that slightly older woman

Feeling slightly less stressed, 

Reveling in her children, husband, 

Unable to fit in because low income but 

Still noticing the beauty around her?

Where is that now 40 something woman

Having  navigated school for her children

Having moved twice and settled in

Looking for friends  for herself

And her children?

Where is that middle aged woman

Who gave to the less fortunate

Worked so hard to cope through 

Almost being homeless 

With no one to call on for help?

Where is that getting older woman, 

Mother to four children

Moving too many times, 

Coping with husband’s job losses

Afraid for her children’s well being?

Where is that woman 

Still helping others, still being compassionate

Still working too hard for people 

And working very hard for her family

Still wondering where the friends are?

Where is that woman 

Betrayed by   people who  seemed like friends

Stressed  by family care and deaths

In the middle of menopause

Still homeschooling her four kids?

Where is that now late 50 something woman,

Slowed  by her body,

Tired in body, mind, and soul,

Alone and worn out,

No longer energetic enough to give,

Sad and now angry?

That woman is now 60. 

Wise, knowledgeable, experienced, intelligent, 

Alone,  tired, angry,

Emotionally bankrupt.

She can no longer give  or share, 

A product of age and mistreatment,

Swept aside and ignored by so many, 

The weary, wise hag. 

Invisible, enervated, and unwilling to give anymore. 

Humanity was more bankrupt of kindness, compassion, 

And integrity than she  ever imagined.

Her disappointment  is thick and dense and weighs on her heart. 

She still finds joy but only in her created family and nature.  

Humanity has failed her and every healer and giver.  

Humanity has squandered the gifts she and other givers have given

To the point that givers are tapped out. 

This is humanity’s loss; and it is a terrible loss indeed when the Givers 

cannot give anymore.