Home » Poetry » Weekend Writing Prompt #123 – Delicate

Weekend Writing Prompt #123 – Delicate

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A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments.

Thank you, Sammi, for making me work hard this week!  Who knew there were so many definitions to “Delicate”?

 

She wanted to be delicate

She wanted it desperately

She had been taught that meant you were a lady

Feminine

 

To walk with a bounce in her step

Was not elegant

To be strong was mannish

She always felt less than,

Then

 

Fast foward forty years

Her definition of delicate

Has changed drastically

She no longer wished to be dainty,

—well, maybe sometimes

She knew she was far from fragile

Would never be muted or subdued

 

When required, she could be graceful and elegant

Though she still loved her more coarse moments

 

Life had taught her to be considerate and gentle

And adept

Delicate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

82 thoughts on “Weekend Writing Prompt #123 – Delicate”

  1. Ideal images or stereotypes are just that–and as you know,considerate, gentle, and strong have nothing to do with being delicate, but are a million times better. Yes, hear us roar! 🙂
    (Did you mean “coarse” instead of “course?”)

    Liked by 2 people

  2. That’s one thing I could never be accused of – being delicate. We might describe it here as being a ‘girly girl’. Most of the women I know aren’t delicate – they’re tough as old boots, survivors, fighters. But also thoughtful and kind too. Here’s to your reimagining of what it means to be feminine – I love it

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    • I could not either. More of a bull in a china shop type, myself 😉
      However, I was amazed at the definitions associated with this word – even if I knew it didn’t just mean “fragile” and “breakable” – it was a good reminder to get the full definition and help me create this.
      Glad you love it!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Q,

    There seems to me a massive upheaval too many women have to partake in when it comes to expectations that were wrought inside the age of Jane Austen. I do not envy young women these things. They are unnecessary, yet they still have play.

    I love the way you describe the chapters of your life, with each new one containing more substance once you realized that the you is wonderful and need not be all rosy posy for the sake of someone else’s expectations. To not feel “less than” and to not be muted or subdued as a result of some finishing school logic. Brava to that java.

    Elegant and dainty when the mood strikes. Roar like a lioness so’s Helen Reddy can collect another dollar in royalties. That’s where it’s at, lady. And you got it. The whole package. 🙂

    B

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  5. Brilliant! And yes, as we grow older (and wiser) we realize that we never were as fragile as we were meant to believe, and that we can appreciate the delicate without needing to BE delicate …
    Here’s to the Crone and the Wise-woman and the Be-who-you-are-meant-to-be gal! 🙂

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  6. I’m gonna step out on a limb here and say I believe these expectations, feelings and stages in our lives are not just gender specific. There is a delicate balance with being the roaring voice and the sensible one who likes to get along. I think the older we get, it’s more obvious. Good job.

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  8. Dear Dale,

    What comes to my mind when I think “delicate” woman is “weaker sex” and personal property. This woman of whom you write is a force to be reckoned with. I hear her invincible roar. Good one.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Rochelle,

      We cannot help but think of that particular definition when we read a “delicate woman” as it has been smashed into us over time.

      Speaking of time, it is time we change that, dontcha think? Yes, this woman is a force (she likes to think).

      Shalom and lotsa love to a fellow delicate woman.

      Dale

      Liked by 1 person

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