What is the tone of this poem?

baby travel systems montreal image

roon

I believe the tone is gloomy and straightforward. Gloomy because of the description she gives and straightforward because she's saying things as they are. Can anyone help me out though? Why would it be gloomy?


Saturday morning armies
of Black women
young
and old
and, young and old in the same time
in the same face
in the same care and time and work-worn hands
you rise with the dawn
leaving home and brown babies
behind you, in the day's early light
pulling coat and scarf close
avoiding the mirror
shrinking of the cold morning of
bus ride
to prestigious street corner

you are not alone
you are with your sisters in this
Northend - to Southend
Jane Finch - to Rosedale
Montreal - to Outermont
Harlem - to Scarsdale
wearing head-rag
carrying dust-mop, scrub-bucket
in-service three days of week march in the dawn.

you possess a key, cherished girl (never woman)
of this house
you tap and scuffle and wipe feet at the back
and enter the world of
day's
day's
day's work in service
taking your place in that army of
round and strong and weary backs
moving with grace and sure familiar stride
from your kitchen
your babies
your own forgotten morning at home
to this
three days-a-week armies of Black women
in service

Answer
I feel it is more realistic of life than truly gloomy. Capitalism and for that matter any system in any age creates a hierarchy and some are at the top of the pile while the majority are at the bottom or in stages between. This poem deals with people (women) being exploited by the system but they appear to be black. For centuries those with white skins have dominated those with yellow, brown or black skins. Why is this? I feel that when the mass immigrations of around 30,000 years ago out of Africa those who travelled to Europe had their skins changed to a paler shade due to the lack of sunshine. The 'whites' found they were in latitudes that helped them develop advanced feudalism that led to industrialised capitalism, which exploits everyone whether they are black or white. If you are working class and black you will feel very exploited and this will give rise to this type of poem. Gloomy not, realistic yes.

Tips on traveling with a 1 month old?

Isabel

My husband and I are expecting a child in September of this year. We had already made plans to visit a friend in Montreal in September, but we decided to push it back due to the baby coming. We are planning on visiting friends for a few days, then coming home. Assuming our babe is healthy and there are no other reasons we shouldn't travel, we hope to go up there around the time the baby will be 1-1.5 months old. We live in VA and will be traveling by car.

We have taken the trip a few times without an infant (but with a 2-4 year old) and I was looking for any advice on traveling with a one-month old. I know she will still be sleeping a lot, and I know that between feedings and changings and stretchings we will have to make numerous extra stops, so we are planning to add a few hours at least to the trip. Our son will be staying with relatives for this one, so we won't have him with us.

Please, no condemnation of the decision to travel; we are quite adventurous when it comes to our kids and I want to take advantage of the fact that I won't be working; I'm not one of those moms who barricades herself in the house until the babe is older. Our friends can't wait to have us and the baby stay with them, so there shouldn't be any issues there. My only fears so far are about exposing her still new immune system to a totally different environment, any advice on extra protection on that front?

I read that below 3 months of age, you only need the baby's birth certificate to cross the border, is that true? We are taking a station wagon, and we were wondering what to take, how often to stop, and for tips on how to keep her entertained. Also, anyone who has stayed a few days outside home with a one month old, feel free to tell me about your experiences. I've heard it can actually be easier since the babe is still imobile and completely attached to you (I plan to put my Maya Wrap to good use).

Thanks, All!

Answer
I traveled from Philadelphia to Atlanta by car with my son when he was just two months old. I don't know the required documents, but I think you will need a passport or passport card. I do also know that traveling with a newborn is as easy as you make it. You really don't have to worry about entertaining a baby that young, but just be ready to stop and feed the baby on demand or better yet take turns sitting in the the backseat with the baby, so that you can feed him/her on demand. Also, stop every three hours or so for diaper changing. Be sure to also add on travel time for these stops. Good Luck, and this link should help you.

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