A Freckle-Faced “Doll” (1920-2019)

She thumbed her nose 

at a General, once 

on R&R, ducked down 

an alley, her voice giddy

reliving the boldness.

Aspiring to be

a doctor, she settled 

for combat nurse, followed 

soldiers into “manly” conditions 

mending and bearing wounds

Dutifully ...

Carried child (after child), 

upon return, like a good 

Catholic, stood barefoot 

tending stoves, pregnant

with ambition.

She proudly told

of early years, born

into suffrage, a tomboy

hiding other attributes

under baseball caps and 

flying gear, relishing 

the unexpected view...

Throwing sticks & stones 

through glass, breaking 

expectations 

Waiting indignantly 

all ninety-six years, 

to vote for a (sister) 

citizen in pant/suits

finally reaching new 

heights... 

Declaring, “give a woman

a chance.”

*In honor of my Nana, Lt. Katherine Flynn Nolan, who died at the age of 98, just missing the chance to celebrate 100 years of life ... coinciding with women’s right to vote (in the USA.) 

*My Nana had not historically liked the Clintons, so I was pleasantly surprised when she voted for HRC in the 2016 Presidential Election. I imagine if she were still alive she’d be thrilled that we had so many female candidates running this time yet deeply disappointed to not have one left to vote for in the end.