Finding my brand as an old woman—a poem
A dear little old feminist poet who wouldn’t hurt a fly
A kind man offered to develop my brand.
I said, I don’t think you understand
that I am extremely old
and way beyond
the need for a personal brand.
On the other hand…
I once had a public persona
a jester’s role, call it a brand.
In the seventies and eighties
I was a strident feminist
(there was no other sort)
and I shouted loud and proud
and mean and bold
waking up my sisters
with the story of their lives.
In the nineties and the noughties
I had a different brand—
web content pioneer—
and my voice was still excited
but my messages were clear:
they were digital and searchable
and usable and scannable
accessible and clear.
Now once again I know my place.
I’m a little old lady poet
a dear little feminist poet.
(See my bonnet? See my lavender and lace?)
My brand has shifted one more time
from shocking and alarming
to urging and informing
to positively calming.
Now that I’m almost obsolete
I do not terrify
I wouldn’t hurt a fly
(maybe I’ll swallow a fly)
but still I tell the story of your lives
whether you like it or not.
And I hope you do.
I want you to.
Excellent poem and terrible drawing cc by 2.0 Rachel McAlpine
Love it! The Re-invention of Rachel . Splendid.
Embracing the (almost) inevitable.
Did you invent the “noughties?” Great word, branded or not.
No, I’ve heard it now and then. We need that word, don’t we?
Do all us old lady poets have to swallow flies? ; )
Oh no. That’s part of my personal brand. But we all need a bonnet at the very least.
Ha ha! Good poetry indeed! I love your wit – and your ability to carve out an insight in hundreds fewer words than I can ever manage. Still looking for my “brand.”
Oh that’s nice thank you. It is a puzzle, isn’t it?
Lovely! 🙂
I would love you to tell the stories of our lives! <3 On with i! 🙂
Aha. Working on it.
All I can say is, you’re a legend, Ms. McAlpine!
Strong words! One day That’s all I will be 🙂
Well you are in my world! 😄
I am touched by this. Thank you.
Interesting how ‘brand’ has, over time, become a positive word. I haven’t quite caught up with its modern usage. For me, brand still conjures up memories of cattle being branded. Something seared into the flesh and unchangeable. I love your poem. I love your style.
That is a big jump of meaning! I’m really pleased you like the poem 🙂
Rather than being obsolete, it sounds like you are progressing –onward and upward, as they say. I am especially interested in the “positively calming” stories. I’ve heard enough rant from both sexes, or should I say “all genders.”
It’s all weird and all good.
I dithered between calming and charming…
Since you mentioned . . . Charming pokes at the reader a bit, with its gently ironic tone, as does much of the poem. Also the “r” sound is a perfect fit. I can see why you dithered.
But calming is the more interesting choice. Its slight off-rhyme perks up the stanza and its ambiguity gives us pause. Is it the speaker who is finally settling down, or is it her intent to create that effect on others who have been, or still are, agitated by personal crises or political and cultural issues.
So both work. I’m glad you went with calming. (Sorry, didn’t mean to intrude or carry on. A temptation hard to resist.)
Don’t say sorry, because specific feedback such as yours is rare and I love it. It’s terrific when a reader understands what’s going on behind the curtain of a poem, for starters. You made me think and smile simultaneously.
You’ve reached the ultimate level when you are “beyond brand”! This was a great witty write!
Oh, something more to aspire to!
I see that there is now a category called “influencer.” I am still rather murky about its meaning, but maybe you could be one for the over 70 set?
I don’t think so! They influence people to buy stuff and need millions of followers. Interesting though.
I was thinking about a new kind of influencer who positively, uncommercially influenced.
You are amazing!! I recently started a blog can you give me writing tips 😍
Just read lots and write lots and enjoy yourself.
I think a good idea
When eighties one gets near
Is find new projects to pursue,
While all the old stuff still to do,
I used to write and edit books —
Well, on those things I still have hooks,
But publish some now, too!
Woo hoo! A sizzling brand that just gets bigger as you grow.
Better to burn out in a blaze than to fizzle in a mere spark!
It’s a bit late for me to do that.
So glad I stumbled upon this blog. Love the honesty of this poem, and its long-suffering and humorous tone.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your comment.
Clever! And so tiresome, this personal brand business. Everyone must have a “story” or a “personal brand” now. What happened to unwrapping people like delightful packages?
Delightful poem, and so like my own trajectory, so doubly delighted.
How fascinating. But if provoked…
Dear, I love the humorous part in your poem 😊