Th Cat and Mouse Act

[Delta40]

Its enough that I am force fed
when under His Majesty's care.
But now you've wrenched the tube
out of my stomach,
I have little choice but to starve
myself in protest.
As soon as I seriously flag,
you release me into the care
of my Suffragette sisters
where I fast regain my health.
When my cheeks become rosy,
I am taken into custody,
and returned to my Holloway cell.
Surely you understand my duty to strike?
In the English gloom of winter,
I have hoped the right to vote
will be passed through these bars
on a battered tin plate.
But once more, my death is nigh.
Like a concerned parent,
I am sent home to recover
with an assurance the punishing
cycle of my resistance will recommence
as soon as I am fit.
What a cat you are,
But I will never be your mouse!

[Maryd.]

Ohh, I love this one Delta. It has now become one of my favourite's of yours. Love the ending...
xo

[Delta40]

Thank you Maryd.

[Jerrybaldy]

As Macca sang 'Suffragette' Jet oooohh ooowwww oohh. Didnt one of the pankhurst's martyr herself on a racecourse?
I am the female eunoch. That author left your shores to appear pretty much everywhere here.
I digress. It is a subject close to your heart and it shows in the passion with which you write and thankfully you are not someone else I can think of. Anything with Delta40 written next to it is always, always going to need reading and as an avid reader you never let me down.
best wishes
you have always had the power
Jerry

[PrinceMyshkin]

There is a probably unintended reference in your title to Maus, the graphic novel by Art Spiegelman?

Should we be recognizing the particular persona of this poem, and the crime for which she was committed to Holloway prison?

I admire the voice you've created to tell this story.

[Delta40]

The Cat and Mouse act is the nickname for an Act passed to prevent the force feeding of Suffragettes who were imprisoned for protesting as this was regarded as a form of torture. However, the release of women hunger strikers and their consequent re-imprisonment after they recovered, created a much greater public scandal than force feeding!

I googled Maus. How interesting!

[hillwalker]

It's a powerful piece, Delta, and a harsh indictment of our paternalistic heritage (in some ways very little has changed from those dark days).

I also sensed an undercurrent of a more subtle sexual domination in the lines

But now you've wrenched the tube
out of my stomach,
I have little choice but to starve
myself in protest.

but it's probably me reading more into it.

H

[Haunted]

A powerful one here Delta, I can feel the suffering and oppression.

[Delta40]

I love it when a reader spots something unintended Hill! You're right of course.

Haunted, I always appreciate your feedback.