They say men where the pants and roles are defined by rules of our gender that styfle and bind Forced to submission by laws too archaic We struggle to rise, it's our future at stake Identities covered and voices obscured We will reach you by action somehow we'll be heard They degrade us and judge us and publicly shame ourselves and our families we carry the blame to our graves with the scars burned in our skin Each lash in the flesh screams we sin God we sin I swear to MY God in this day I refuse to buckle to you or your threats of abuse If in my standing I forfiet this world at least I won't leave it without being heard
2009-08-03T10:57:02Z
The provided link is central to the poem guys...without following the poem is useless
2009-08-03T11:50:15Z
change 3rd line from bottom to this please
to buckle to governments threats and abuse
ty
-2009-08-03T10:55:12Z
Favorite Answer
Excellent, just excellent expression here.
In Phoenix, a 9 year old Lybian girl was raped in a shed by 4 boys, ranging in ages from 9 to 14. Her father said she shamed the family and did not want her back. (He denies it now.) From this example to your link....we women need a voice such as yours.
When in Rome (or Sudan) ... These archaic laws ... I mean, I respect the religion, I really do, but these people take it too far. In Christianity women were not allowed to wear pants either or have their hair cut too short. But evolution has taken place in reference to the Bible and in what is allowed in public. I have a huge problem with countries which are run by a religion. America is run by Christian morals.
On the other hand, reading things like this makes me feel bad for being un-patriotic.
And I've gained a new hero.
And your poem does justice to the plight of these women, trapped in a fundamentalist male religious regime. I just hope it doesn't add fuel to the fire of anti-Muslim sentiment. Because that is not what Islam is about.
I read this twice. The way you layer longer story-related prose is admirable, and something I have much trouble with. You make it seem effortless, natural, but all of us who write know the opposite is true. I often measure the effectiveness of a piece by the number of TD's........Jealousy rears it's green head. Kudos to you, Mr Carney.
I had once heard - that their women are forced to wear clothing - that will not "upset" the men (I guess - the term "lust" was used). So - rather than the men - controlling their passions - their women must pay the price. Isn't this the place - that "mutilates" the female. How dare the woman - for making a man - feel "under her spell" ♥ http://www.bible-art.info/wpe7B1.jpg
Well this is a good poem, but it is told from our cultural perspective, so it might not make print if sent to the paper she works for. It is encouraging to see women in oppressive cultures demanding more rights and equality. But it is not my place to demand it on their behalf. Viva la revolution!