Durable, flexible, intelligent,
Best workhorses ever created.
Eyes pained.
Backs flogged.
These its,
These puny its have no value.
Mouths starved.
Necks choked.
Shoulders bruised.
Torsos kicked.
These its,
These puny its have no voices.
Legs spread wide.
Ears boxed.
Faces slapped.
Hair unkempt.
These its,
These puny its have no value.
Who are these its?
Forgotten and unacknowledged,
Running, pleading, fearing for their lives.
These its,
These puny its have no voices.
The brunt of war carried in the flesh of women.
While men pat themselves on the back for heroism.
These its,
These puny its have no value.
Oh, women of the world,
I know today is Mother’s Day,
But your its are being attacked.
Bellies impregnated by rape,
Faces scarred by encrusted, scabrous hands,
Disfigured bodies with lost limbs,
These its,
These puny its have no voices.
Slaughtered,
Murdered,
Gassed,
Shot down,
Their psyches damaged.
These its,
These puny its have no value.
Hands grabbed,
Bound and cast to the ground,
Legs spread wide and raped,
Whore,
Bitch,
Slut,
Cunt,
Their Psyches branded.
These its,
These puny its have no voices.
Oh, women of the world,
Today is Mother’s Day,
But these its are our sisters,
Shouldn’t our voices become theirs?
This poem is dedicated to every woman trapped by war at this moment wherever they are, in whatever country.
Happy Mother's Day.
Shalom,
Pat Garcia
Oh, Patricia, this is such an excellent poem with everything that is happening in the world this Mother's Day. It is so sad, but unfortunately so true. It is the fate of so many women, not only in countries of war, in third world countries, but often in neighborhoods and homes where one one never imagine it would happen. Many women have been fortunate to have led wonderful lives and are able to celebrate a joyous Mother's Day, but we must all remember and pray and "be the voice" of the "its" you describe, so that they can truly become the women they deserve to be. Let us that are Christians keep them on our prayer list this year!
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Sis. I like that you pointed out that it is not only in countries of war, in third world countries, but often in neighborhoods and homes where one never imagine it would happen, but it does.
DeleteI must add here that this is not about women's liberation. This is about freedom to be respected as a human being, God's creation. So often we let ourselves get tied into a movement and the purpose gets diluted and become someone else's pet peeve for something he or she is against, and we forget the immeasurable beauty of being respected as a human being, which is an inalienable right imprinted within us.
Love you, Sis and thank you for your loyal support.
Shalom,
Patricia
Powerful. Thank you for writing and sharing this. It gave me chills reading it.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Colleen,
DeleteThank you. It touches my heart to know that I have touched yours.
Shalom,
Patricia
I commented before Pat but I'll use this platform also. I FB'd your poem a day or so ago and it was well received and read. My son Mike was obviously moved also. It is a very powerful piece of writing, raw and real.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much my dear, Susan. You are a dear. I received your comment on my other platform and also responded, and please tell Mike I said many, many thanks. It is always a pleasure for me when I touch the hearts of young people, who have eyes to see the heart of the matter.
DeleteLove you, my dear.
Shalom
My Dear Susan,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. You are truly a person whom I look up to. You have shone a light into so many of my dark corners in my dream world. It is indeed a pleasure to call you friend.
Shalom my dear.
Patricia
Thank you very much. I checked out your website and it is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteShalom,
Patricia
Thoughtful, poignant tribute to mothers and to all women, Patricia. These words cannot be said enough. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteShalom,
Samantha
Hi My Dear,
DeleteThank you. It is horrible how some women are treated. They are our sisters and yet I hear very few voices crying out in defence of them, shouting for their safety.
Shalom,
Patricia
Thank you for raising your voice!
ReplyDeleteThank you. This was my way of reaching those who can but don't.
ReplyDeleteShalom,
Patricia