Once again, Jena, you've set my brain on fire. My mind and my heart are working together to articulate the fire inside me. I'll get there, though it may take a bit of extra cogitation. One snippet of your prose made me want to respectfully speak out: "Though our feet are not literally bound..." So many women's feet are literally bound by shoes that were never designed for walking. We know they're not comfortable; I truly believe they were some man's (soft) porn fantasy to prevent women from being able to escape. Stilettos, which are so damned prevalent, are anathema to health and safety. Let's start our first bonfire with them!
I would agree with you about the shoes Audrey, though high heels can be removed and women can walk (albeit with poor balance and often painfully) while wearing them. But in Chinese foot binding girls had no choice. It was begun at a very young age and by the time they had any ability to choose (which they probably would not have dared to do), the bones in their feet were already broken (yes broken and often with gangrenous toes) and deformed. Their feet were literally so misshapen and small that they could not walk without assistance. Gruesome.
I too would like to see a bonfire started with these so called shoes. What is even sadder to me is that many women believe that wearing high heels makes they look more attractive and wear them proudly as a sign of their flare for fashion and sexuality. Sigh…
You're right, of course, about the binding of feet. My feeling is that today's stilettos, created by Jimmy Choo and his ilk, are today's version of the binding of feet. Yes, we can take them off, but they go back on really fast. And yes to the idea, marketed by men, that women are sexier in them. Oy, this old radical lesbian replies!
"Savage is.........this poem!" Absolutely fabulous, Jena!
Thank you so much Leon.
Once again, Jena, you've set my brain on fire. My mind and my heart are working together to articulate the fire inside me. I'll get there, though it may take a bit of extra cogitation. One snippet of your prose made me want to respectfully speak out: "Though our feet are not literally bound..." So many women's feet are literally bound by shoes that were never designed for walking. We know they're not comfortable; I truly believe they were some man's (soft) porn fantasy to prevent women from being able to escape. Stilettos, which are so damned prevalent, are anathema to health and safety. Let's start our first bonfire with them!
I would agree with you about the shoes Audrey, though high heels can be removed and women can walk (albeit with poor balance and often painfully) while wearing them. But in Chinese foot binding girls had no choice. It was begun at a very young age and by the time they had any ability to choose (which they probably would not have dared to do), the bones in their feet were already broken (yes broken and often with gangrenous toes) and deformed. Their feet were literally so misshapen and small that they could not walk without assistance. Gruesome.
I too would like to see a bonfire started with these so called shoes. What is even sadder to me is that many women believe that wearing high heels makes they look more attractive and wear them proudly as a sign of their flare for fashion and sexuality. Sigh…
You're right, of course, about the binding of feet. My feeling is that today's stilettos, created by Jimmy Choo and his ilk, are today's version of the binding of feet. Yes, we can take them off, but they go back on really fast. And yes to the idea, marketed by men, that women are sexier in them. Oy, this old radical lesbian replies!
Completely agree. You couldn’t get me near heels - lol.
If men are to ever find that illusive land of freedom they must let go their desire to suppress women.
Agree. And to understand that power does not mean subjugating or taking advantage of others. Equality really can equate to power.
A tethering leash tethers both ends together.
Wow! That was hauntingly beautiful. And we WILL NOT LOWER OUR VOICE!
I am sort of that savage daughter - I have long hair and she always sushed me!
I simply cannot imagine you being anything but vibrantly vocal, Laura. Please never lower your voice or cut your hair.
Jena, thank you 🩵
Thank YOU for sharing your wonderful self.
Thank you for saying that - YOU TOO!
Brilliantly done, Jena!
Thanks so much Diane. I hope you will add your always articulate and yes Savage Voice :-)
I’m thinking!
Something else I love about you - lol.
Aww💕