In daylight, I radiated its warmth
finding softness in the caress of another’s hands
I was told I was chosen because
I was the most vibrant, the
most desired in the whole plot.
Callused hands took me
displays in vase
water and sugar
you told me to take this as
a compliment
You’d watch every morning as I withered
you mourned me and thought
“She was so young, just so pretty,
if only she’d live on her own strength,”
but I did!
but I would’ve
You pulled me from the soil I had been nurtured by
so you could feed from my beauty.
You only gave me sunlight through the convenience of your window
when I had already inherited it from
the blossoms before me.
You’re not my saviour
(not that I ever needed one)
women aren’t flowers
underneath, we’re a complex
a web of intertwined roots
And you better believe that next time
our network of infrastructure will run so deep
you’d have to yank us from the ground
with all your might
if you ever want our sisters again.
The plant imagery really fits in naturally (pun not intended).
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First thing I read today–what a start. By God, you are amazing. World-class, really. From a blog to a career in short order: I have spoken; one time to listen to an elder. Cheers, Mark
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Thank you Mark, for your kind words. I appreciate your support!
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Thank you for these lines. Kenza.
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truly enjoyable to read!
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Excellent.
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Thank you, Aaron! You don’t have comments enabled on your blog, but I love the personification of emotion in your “Enduring Passions.” Well done. 🙂
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Thank you. that’s very kind.
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“…You pulled me from the soil I had been nurtured by
so you could feed from my beauty.
You only gave me sunlight through the convenience of your window
when I had already inherited it from
the blossoms before me….” Wow this was brilliant ! This is feministic empowerment at its strongest… Claiming your own power and not taking any bullshit. I’d say why only feminism, this is powerful humanism. This is what out approach should be to those who claim our becoming is merely a result of their doing.
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Yes of course, Jay! There is a fine line between needing to be saved and to be given a helping hand. It’s even another to want praise from it–we were put on this earth WITH each other. We’re linked, not ranked against our neighbours–sometimes we need help and other times we find the strength from within us.
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Ah! The strength within us is all we ever need find my friend. All else works itself out once humans learn to find the strength they need.. Within themselves..
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Thank you, Elle. I find your feminism eloquent and poignant. The lovely, yet tough and telling comparison of yourself and women to flowers uprooted for the pleasure of less than tender hands and hearts is compelling. Again, my thanks to you
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WOW! Really strong imagery. Good work.
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What a perspective and how beautifully you put the words behind it to support the thought. Loved the point of view – strong, elegant and poignant. Bravo 👏👏
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Fabulous extended metaphor. I really enjoyed this poem.
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Gorgeous! The tempered anger and stealth strength – subtle and relatable.
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Enjoyed the poem! The two halves contrast each other in the strength of emotions. The imagery was nicely done. Great!
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Man. First time through I actually got chillbumps. Second time through, couldn’t stop nodding “YES!” Amazing. You take a very complicated journey SOOO many women (and perhaps people, when we step way back) experience and condense it into such powerful, concise words…with intense beauty… I was reminded of a time in my late 30s when I was sitting around with a group of women sipping wine. Of course the talk turned to men, relationships, what we’d experienced and learned on the road of life thus far. It was profound how many of us told the same story over and over. This story. Your words…at least as they fell on my ears and heart. Sunday is wonderful for many reasons….and YOU are one of them! Thank You!!!! Seriously. Cheers! 🙂
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Isn’t it upsetting that our most profound conversations are our realizations about men? We need to learn how to shift our discussions about our meanings and beliefs about ourselves–not about how we are in relation to men! Thank you as always for coming by. 🙂
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Absolutely! On the last two things You said!!! 😊
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Beautiful piece
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wow! Your poem is very strong and beautiful.
Follow my site https://tendzinwangchuk.wordpress.com
Thank you Ellen…
Regards from Bhutan!
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this is deeply beautiful
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Wow! Sister, great write and good warning 🙂 It is obvious you have got deep roots 🙂
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stunning and well detailed in your writing method!!!
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Hey!
I recently discovered your blog and found it quite interesting and with diverse topics. I have nominated you for the versatile blogger award. Congratulations!
https://wordpress.com/post/justrandomthoughts416799382.wordpress.com/288
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Indeed! I too am feeling this virtue in anger as hope as passion as the light. I consider you a friend, Elle, and take courage -and expect you to do the same- as we fight for the light.
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I absolutely stand with you. We can never get too comfortable, can never turn a blind eye–we need to elicit change, and work until it becomes reality. Thank you for coming by!
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