Love the images the poem invokes, the message about women and their role is such an important one. And the desire to have the role of men in society be more about partnership than superior vs inferior is one all parents should strive to achieve as they raise their children.
Wow! Now THAT was amazing (as was your poetic rendition of the ritual)!! I fully embrace the assertion that Women are the key to the universe, and life - and that it would be a better world if the role of men was to genuinely impress rather than to assert control. It's currently a backwards, mixed-up situation. Beautiful and profound observations, Jena!
Thank you so much for reading along, Leon, and for being enough of a “man” to understand that a woman’s power and grace can only complement and enhance - not threaten - your own :-)
"If men were more focused on impressing women (on improving their intellectual, dance, fashion, design, athletic, and artistic skills) instead of trying to control them...."
Why do you think this is so? Is it because men are so used to having women cater to them and they want women to continue this so-called norm? Do men not like women? Do men have "mommy issues?" What is at the crux of this? Also, women are responsible, too, for the place we all find ourselves. So many women are "doofers" (as my mom used to call it) - they do for the kids, they do for the husband, they do for the community, without assigning any worth to their time. Therefore it's understood that women's time is not as valuable as men's time. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts about this.
LOL How long have you got? Women are raised and conditioned to believe they “need” men and that men can and should be the ones in charge. But that statement barely scratches the surface of what’s realy going on. We need a Women’s Studies class here :-)
I majored in Women's Studies back in my stone-age college years. There was, of course, no such major at my college, so I created it, with the help of a few incredible women professors, who had my back and filled my heart while I studied, pondered, researched, and wrote a thesis on Lesbians in prison. It was the best of a dismal undergraduate experience (I dropped out for three years).
LOVE! I’d really like to read that thesis. I bet it was great. And I am very grateful to the professors who supported and encouraged you. IMHO it is time women stopped waiting for men to do the “right thing,” and started an all inclusive movement that would both educate and empower every single woman who joined it. We belong to a sisterhood - regardless of age, race, religion, ethnicity or sexual persuasion - and it’s about time we started acting like it. Enough with the divisions and prejudices. We must stand as one to being this country and this planet back into balance.
I have an idea about how we might do that but hesitate to say anything. Now why does that conditioned response sound familiar - LOL. Ping me, please.
One of the most depressing classes I've taken - Women's History. This entitled attitude of men and unquestioning acceptance by women goes back centuries. The problem is that so many women have been so conditioned by patriarchy (religion, etc.) to accept this role, that they think it's normal.
The stultification, eradication and dismissiveness of women's works - it's a form of self-loathing (by both men and women). Have you heard of Hypatia of Alexandria? And the NuShu writing of Chinese women so they could communicate with each others in ways the men could not decipher?
Yes, Hypatia. For some reason thought she was an astronomer. I will look her up again. I hadn't heard of NuShu but will go look it up. Chinese women are bad ass! Thank you for sharing Patty.
Jena,
Love the images the poem invokes, the message about women and their role is such an important one. And the desire to have the role of men in society be more about partnership than superior vs inferior is one all parents should strive to achieve as they raise their children.
Thank you! Now back to standing in between :-)
I think we may have a Poetry Slam going on right here! 💖💖👍🏻👍🏻
Now wouldn't that be a BLAST?!!!
And powerful too.
Wow! Now THAT was amazing (as was your poetic rendition of the ritual)!! I fully embrace the assertion that Women are the key to the universe, and life - and that it would be a better world if the role of men was to genuinely impress rather than to assert control. It's currently a backwards, mixed-up situation. Beautiful and profound observations, Jena!
Thank you so much for reading along, Leon, and for being enough of a “man” to understand that a woman’s power and grace can only complement and enhance - not threaten - your own :-)
Loved it! Love that birdie!
I love the video! My first thought was Bridgerton birds! The 💃 🕺
Hahaha! Perfect.
An ode to Women judging tonight’s debate:
In a grand hall, where lights do blaze,
Five women sit, their voices raise.
From different walks, they came to see,
A debate of might and destiny.
First speaks Claire, of wealth and ease,
In designer dress, with life of peace.
"Policies of trade, I do implore,
Which one of you will open doors?
Will markets thrive, will stocks ascend?
Which path ensures my dividends?"
Then Maria, from the working class,
With calloused hands, she speaks at last.
"My children need a better school,
Healthcare's a right, not just a tool.
Who will lift the minimum wage,
And ease the burdens that we wage?"
Next is Beth, from middle ground,
In suburban life, her hopes are bound.
"Taxes high, they bleed us dry,
Tell me, who will clarify?
Who will balance, fair and just,
Our family’s dreams, our nation's trust?"
Fourth is Dee, from struggle’s lane,
Her eyes reflect a constant pain.
"In shadows deep, we fight to live,
What hope, what future can you give?
Who will lift us from despair,
And show that truly, you do care?"
Last is Ann, from wealth’s steep rise,
With shrewdness sharp, and keen bright eyes.
"Foreign policies, the global play,
Which one will lead in the fray?
Who can handle, who can steer,
In times of chaos, in times of fear?"
The men on stage, with fervor speak,
Their words a dance, both bold and sleek.
Yet in the eyes of these five peers,
The truth is weighed through hopes and fears.
From gilded halls to humble homes,
Their judgments form, each thought that roams.
In every voice, a nation's thread,
In every heart, the future spread.
Impressed?
Impressed!
Oh well done, Marc! Impressive indeed. I am Particularly fond of Maria.
Thanks. Maria is a star.
Clearly!
Wow! That yellow eye and the dance!
"If men were more focused on impressing women (on improving their intellectual, dance, fashion, design, athletic, and artistic skills) instead of trying to control them...."
Why do you think this is so? Is it because men are so used to having women cater to them and they want women to continue this so-called norm? Do men not like women? Do men have "mommy issues?" What is at the crux of this? Also, women are responsible, too, for the place we all find ourselves. So many women are "doofers" (as my mom used to call it) - they do for the kids, they do for the husband, they do for the community, without assigning any worth to their time. Therefore it's understood that women's time is not as valuable as men's time. I would love to hear everyone's thoughts about this.
Truth!
LOL How long have you got? Women are raised and conditioned to believe they “need” men and that men can and should be the ones in charge. But that statement barely scratches the surface of what’s realy going on. We need a Women’s Studies class here :-)
I majored in Women's Studies back in my stone-age college years. There was, of course, no such major at my college, so I created it, with the help of a few incredible women professors, who had my back and filled my heart while I studied, pondered, researched, and wrote a thesis on Lesbians in prison. It was the best of a dismal undergraduate experience (I dropped out for three years).
LOVE! I’d really like to read that thesis. I bet it was great. And I am very grateful to the professors who supported and encouraged you. IMHO it is time women stopped waiting for men to do the “right thing,” and started an all inclusive movement that would both educate and empower every single woman who joined it. We belong to a sisterhood - regardless of age, race, religion, ethnicity or sexual persuasion - and it’s about time we started acting like it. Enough with the divisions and prejudices. We must stand as one to being this country and this planet back into balance.
I have an idea about how we might do that but hesitate to say anything. Now why does that conditioned response sound familiar - LOL. Ping me, please.
Will do!
One of the most depressing classes I've taken - Women's History. This entitled attitude of men and unquestioning acceptance by women goes back centuries. The problem is that so many women have been so conditioned by patriarchy (religion, etc.) to accept this role, that they think it's normal.
Yes…I remember being stunned that there were SO many women writers that I’d never heard of!
The stultification, eradication and dismissiveness of women's works - it's a form of self-loathing (by both men and women). Have you heard of Hypatia of Alexandria? And the NuShu writing of Chinese women so they could communicate with each others in ways the men could not decipher?
Yes, Hypatia. For some reason thought she was an astronomer. I will look her up again. I hadn't heard of NuShu but will go look it up. Chinese women are bad ass! Thank you for sharing Patty.
Adorable!