Poems of a Divorcee

About the Book

"This small book of prose poems is largely the result of a mid-life crisis at almost forty-one years of age. Since if have weathered another forty years, I thought it time to immortalise myself a little, if only, for the sake of my two now-grown sons. The poems are initially the result of 'after divorce' turmoil, but they include some biography, and the rediscovery of my essence through the Feminist Movement. I hope these poems will bring joy and solace to women, and others too, who have had unhappy life experiences so that they may share with me, to the end, a more "beautiful and useful" * life." * Dante thought of these as two most essential qualities. ("Introductory Papers on Dante" by Dorothy L. Sayers)

About the Author

"I was born in the country at Streaky Bay from a line of wheat farmers. My mother was elder daughter of a family of eight as I am the eldest in a family of five. Her father, my Grandpa Robbie was Rev. W. H Robinson, a prominent minister of the Methodist church. Some of his library books tumbled into our home upon his death. Soon after, my Aunt Evelyn enrolled me in the Adelaide Institute Library and took me to ballets and musicals. All of this, I think, must have led to my becoming a life-time book-worm. To my mother's disappointment I was only average at school. Mathematics caused many tantrums. I was given singing lessons for which I am indeed very grateful. I was ensconced in a legal office at sixteen as a stenographer ("until you marry"!). Successively, I have been interested in Eastern philosophy, C. G. Jung's psychotherapy, and, after divorce, in Feminism. I had delayed having children whilst assisting my husband through a law degree, so that I was in my thirties before I finally had two beautiful boys. Almost immediately after separation I enrolled in a College of Advanced Education and finally achieved, part-time, an Associate Diploma majoring in literature and with some tuition in drawing and painting. In these years I found my boys were experiencing great learning difficulties and we sought every kind of help available to little avail. I have belonged to a music-listening group for over forty years. I am aware my poems have large elements of autobiography spiced with a bit of Feminism. I hope my readers will derive much joy from this production, or, one might say, re-birthing of my life at this latter stage."