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By Veronica_Milvus
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07 July 2008 |
A feminist necessity: giving the "Harlot" a voice.
PIMP
Looking back, it seems that I was somehow culled
like a lame gazelle among the larger herd.
The weapon used was flattery, power of the word;
my senses were aroused, but my judgement dulled.
All that attention, spent on one unused
to gifts, and other offerings bestowed by men;
but then his ardour cooled - then, and only then,
he tells me he's the one who feels abused!
Immature, I may have been, but nothing more.
Like other girls before me, he would stain me scarlet.
No honest man declares his love to a harlot;
that commodity is what a wife is for.
I look on him who made me what I am, and then,
would have me somehow different. Such are men!
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Written by Turquoise-Tangerine (95 comments posted) 7th July 2008 | A point well made and well told.
I remember watching a program about young Asian Jack-the-lads who, because all of the westernised girls had now been 'soiled', wanted to go back home to "marry a wergin".
Regards,
Turk. |
Written by NathanRoberts (277 comments posted) 7th July 2008 | Tremendous opening lines and I think the first stanza is superb.
'No honest man declares his love to a harlot;
that commodity is what a wife is for.'
With the implication that even an 'honest man' treats love like a commodity. Bitter, but powerful stuff. | Some powerful lines here, V.
Written by Brett (759 comments posted) 7th July 2008 | ...he would stain me scarlet' - very strong.
A high standard as ever, and containing an almost trademark killing couplet!
Cheers |
Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3331 comments posted) 7th July 2008 | I read somewhere that good poetry was compression of expression and I think you achieve that in spades here.
You make your point so elegantly and yet so powerfully.
You succinctly illustrate the huge gap between certain men's thinking and those women's logical response. It highlights that strange state of denial that men have on the subject
And I must agree on Brett's comment of your last two lines, and the use of 'harlot' and 'scarlet' was inspired
jane | Compressed indeed
Written by patterjack (1179 comments posted) 7th July 2008 | Sorry , but I keep getting overtones ( not entirely relevant but alas unavoidable ) to The Scarlet Letter and to my own battles with the concepts of my A verses . Not something perhaps that I should include in a review of what is a very strong poem
A fitting form for what you have to say .
patterjack
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Written by Phil (6683 comments posted) 7th July 2008 | Loved the way this started - clear and startling image. Sets the tone very well.
Can't disagree with what has gone before.
Phil |
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