Labour Day

No wonder they call it labour – it’s hard work! The build-up was difficult enough, what with the move from Germany to Ireland via London, getting to know new people and surroundings, having to travel forty miles and back to the nearest hospital for check-ups, and then falling over a paving stone on my way to the library, which resulted in bed rest for two weeks.

Getting to the hospital after my waters broke was a nightmare, the hospital was the wrong one, and I wasn’t allowed to give birth the way I wanted. So, was it worth it? All the nappy washing by hand, the sleepless nights, the worrying about my daughter’s welfare? The labouring to keep a roof over our heads, to give her a good education and put her on the right path? Yes!

Now it’s her turn, and I can take over whenever she needs me, running myself ragged trying to keep up with a curious, adventurous toddler, happy and grateful for the labour of women.

among wind-tossed leaves
turning to russet and gold
wasps harvest apples

Kim M. Russell, 2nd September 2019

Image result for wasp on apple Pinterest
Image found on theguardian.com

My response to dVerse Poets Pub Haibun Monday: Labour

Frank is our host for this Haibun Monday, and we’re talking labour. Having never experienced a Labour parade, I was interested to read about its history, as I wasn’t sure why it was a public holiday.

Frank explains that Labour Day honours the American labour movement and the contributions that workers have made to the development, growth, endurance, strength, security, prosperity, productivity, laws, sustainability, persistence, structure, and well-being of the country – all very important under the current conditions.

I really enjoyed the poem by Langston Hughes and started to panic about what I should write in a haibun that alludes to workers, Labour Day, the former and current struggles of Workers, or anything else labour related, and then it hit me!

32 thoughts on “Labour Day”

    1. No washing machine, and I didn’t have a buggy until she was at least one – I carried her around in a sling – and she slept in a drawer for a few months until someone kindly gave us a secondhand cot. I’m so pleased that I am in a position to help her with Lucas now.

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    1. Thank you, Sarah. I’m off to fulfil my duties again on 12th September. I might need a walking stick when I get back, especially if I have another fall while I’m there. 😦

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  6. baby in a drawer…..we were called to my father-in-law’s side when our daughter was just 9 days old. In those days, a baby car seat was a hard plastic thing that never would have done for a 6 hour ride. We had a zipper suitcase that we lay open on the back seat, padded it with blankets, and she slept on her back there with me sitting next to her. We made do in those days. So very glad you are enjoying grandparenting! 🙂
    The haiku is absolutely perfect!

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  9. Very personal sharing, energetic and honest. Raising a family, no matter how difficult, is a labor of love. We have 9 grandchildren, 7 near us. My wife is Gramm-sitting for 3 of them today.

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    1. My daughter is hoping to have one more before she hits forty. I’d love a granddaughter. I’m off to look after Lucas for a few days again on 12th September.

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  14. Oh, this is a wonderful tribute to the labour of motherhood…raw and real in the details! Love your haiku too, Kim. Glad to hear you’re able and willing to help the next generation as well. Blessings to you!

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