Life moves smoothly when our men are gone to sea, hunting and processing whales for five years or more.
Babies arrive during the first year. Then, finally, we’re free from that routine.
Our boys become kind and thoughtful without men chiding Only snivelers cry.
Our girls become beauties without men eyeing them with intent.
And we, the women, follow rules created among us, sans the hindrance of ego and imagined power.
A singular sadness falls on our shoulders when we first spy the whalers returning.
We retire to our homes, remove our husband’s pants and don uncomfortable corsets and dresses.
Up From the Ashes 
A powerful fable. Like Rosie the Riveter
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I read an article in National Geographic about how well women did when the men went whaling back when it was a sadly booming industry. The villages established a whole new way of life that was interrupted when the whalers came home. Sometimes the women won out and nothing changed just because there was a man around.
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If the roles were reversed I’m not so sure the men would have flourished so well. Reminds me of the similar situation during the world wars too, when women took over the jobs at home while the men were away fighting, and when the men returned, were expected to return to the house and give up the jobs. Thought provoking story, well done.
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Thank you, Iain. I’m sure the men created their own society while away. (although maybe not quite as genteel.)
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I would like to see the women revolt…. Not meekly return to their “wifely ways”…
Loved this, Alicia.
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I think that’s in the next 150-words. These women will not go quietly into the dark night. Thanks.
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laughed at the husband’s pants line – and it was also then that the time period sank in (no pun intended)
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Thank you. That line is a smile-bringer. I saw women in ginormous pants held up with thick belts. Didn’t know how else to say it in 100-words.
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Well that worked and funny what a nice low word count can bring out of us!
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YAY. You’re back! Whalers always take me to the 1800’s, I think the line that got me was about the men with intent on seeing the beauty of the young girls/teen/etc.
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Especially after being out to sea for five years! Yikes. Thanks for the welcome back. It warmed the cockles of my heart.
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I can’t find your story for this week. What’s the title?
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Somehow this struck me as both hilarious and pitiful. Is that possible?
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Of course! Glad you saw both sides. Thank you.
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The lesson of this magical time was surely lost on the menfolk. I have thrived, in these times, by carefully watching and emulating the women around me at work, and staying out of their way.
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Probably a good idea. Thanks for stopping by to read my story and for leaving a comment.
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Love this story. All those women creating their own society with its own rules while the men go off to ply their barbarous trade. Sounds pretty idyllic to me! Great story Lish
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According to the article that inspired this story, life was smooth while the men were gone and the women had a difficult time when they returned. I don’t think they ever fully relinquished control. Thanks, Lynn. Always glad to “see” you. Lish
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It must have been very disruptive for everyone – male and female! Lovely to see you too Lish
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A bit “anti-man” 😉 Back in those days I can see where they’re coming from, though. It must have been such a relief to be out from under the thumb and get some freedom. And a nice change to the usual “men away” story, where the women always seem to be pining for them 🙂
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Thank you, Ali. I’m sure they missed them ~ sometimes. 😉
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With all the boys being so kind and thoughtful, I wonder where the next generation of whalers will come from? We men do tend to screw up a woman’s world, don’t we. 🙂
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Oh, the men will take care of that when they return. You men may screw things up at times, but you also make life wonderful. Lish
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it’s a whale of a tale. just loved it. 🙂
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Ha! Thanks!
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Dear Lish,
I realize this is based on history and a wonderful job of it at that but it went deeper. Sometimes I feel that corset’s pinch in this day and age. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much for seeing that these women had such freedom wearing pants and dealing with the world as they saw fit, then the men returning expecting their wives bound to their rules.
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Such a wonderful insight into the thoughts of women left to life without the hindrance of men, for however short a time.
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Thanks, Sarah Ann. I imagine it would be so freeing! (Kinda’ like when your husband leaves for a week-long camping trip!) Glad you stopped by.
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You’ve constructed your story well and written it fluently.
“sans the hindrance of ego and imagined power” sums up the reason why the arrangement works, I suspect. Wouldn’t it be great if we could find a political system that would reduce the hindrance of ego and imagined power?
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Yes! Bring it on. I can’t remember which of the indigenous people in the US had a great system. The men would talk, the women would talk, each would come up with a plan and they’d get together and come up with a solution everyone could agree on. How civilized. None of this, “Me Tarzan.” bologna. Thank, Penny
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I imagine this how the how the Amazons of Greek legend started out…Those whalers had better watch their backs. A harpoon may be coming their way!:)
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Ha! Too true.
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Love this story Alicia- life for the women without the men so well observed. A powerful message told in a brilliantly understated way.
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Thanks for such a lovely comment. I appreciate it. Alicia
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Words with a punch! Love it! Have a great week, Alicia!
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Thanks on all counts, Jelli! And back atcha’!
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A powerful story, and my sympathies are all wth the women!
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Oh, yes, I think they have a good life with the men are gone. Not all, for sure, but most. Thanks, Liz.
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Oh why, oh why did the men have to return? Perhaps a few of the women dared to continue wearing their husband’s pants instead of corsets and dresses.
A beautifully crafted tale.
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Thank you!
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My pleasure.
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Outstanding, Alicia. I love how you incluce the boys into growing up with better attitudes without the menfolks antiquated ‘manly ways’. What a waste of potential and talent to exclude half of the population from having a say because of gender (or skin colour, or country of origin…).
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Thank you! Your comment just made my day in many ways. Cheers!
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I love it! Outstanding write.
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Thanks!
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Such an interesting story. Of course my romantic streak longs for some of those returning men to be totally loveable gentlemen who enhance their families’ lives. But my practical side thinks of the corsets, the discomfort and the extra cooking and washing and the mess and the smell of whale meat.
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While writing this I knew some of the men MUST be loveable fellows. Thanks for bringing up that point.
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I love this!
Sometimes I wonder if a gender divided society might be better, with intermittent visits.
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Now THAT’S an interesting thought. Thanks for sharing it. Alicia
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Wow…this almost sounded like a utopia!
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It does. A band of women sounds like a little bit of peace. Thanks, Dawn.
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