Friday, April 6, 2018

528

[image from google dot com]


LAOTANG - BINDINGS
in the folds of fan like lives
holds a secret trust to sisterhood
where the plum blossoms in broad daylight
look to a bird on a bough high
For entwined like our lives is the Spring or Fall
There is a purpose to being
A hope lies in the message of happiness
Not to runaway but to stay to stay unbound
Keeping bound feet as pain to secure
In future generations
A freedom for women
A freedom to think of each individual soul
Who should taste freedom to choose
What binds our feet and holds our heart
The ribbons of hope are strong enough
Take courage as you read this fan
Your mission to one day state and pledge
Our freedom to be whole beings
Free to love free to choose
Bindings of our choice
LAOTANG - BINDINGS © gillena cox 2018


Revisit
6 April 2016
6 April 2015

Blog hopping today with imaginary garden. In April we write a poem every day

April Six: Speaking in the Voice of Another
Prompted by Sherry Blue Sky; challenged: to write a poem in the voice of another: in this case, the voice of a woman living in feudal times, addressing her laotang,
Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,
Location: St James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

11 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 6, 2018 at 8:28 PM

    this is interesting Gillena and I really like the strikethroughs, it reads like a visible redacted document, which has fallen into the liberated hands ...

    and the more importantly, it speaks of the secrets shared within hearts willing to be bound beyond the constrictions of rules and codes of conduct and behaviour - to know within\without words, a code in almost silence, of how women can endure, persist, resist and eventually triumph.

    how wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gillena CoxApril 6, 2018 at 9:32 PM

    Thank you for your appreciation Willow

    Much🌼love

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sherry Blue SkyApril 6, 2018 at 10:36 PM

    "Free to choose bindings of our choice...." I love those closing lines. A wonderful response to the prompt, Gillena. Thanks for participating.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gillena CoxApril 7, 2018 at 2:37 AM

    Thank you for dropping in to read mine Sherry

    Much🌼love

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rosemary Nissen-WadeApril 7, 2018 at 3:17 AM

    Reading it (simultaneously) with and without the crossings-out made me engage with it much more deeply. Interesting suggestion at the end!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gillena CoxApril 7, 2018 at 5:31 AM

      Thank you for your appreciation Rosemary

      Much🌼love

      Delete
  6. Old EggApril 7, 2018 at 3:59 AM

    Yes it is good to read this poem (letter) twice over to really get the feel and trust it conveys.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gillena CoxApril 7, 2018 at 5:31 AM

      Thank you for your appreciagion Robin

      Much🌼lovd

      Delete
  7. Sanaa RizviApril 7, 2018 at 4:15 AM

    The crossing outs play a most beautiful effect and emphasise upon the secret bond between Latongs in those times.💜

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kerry O'ConnorApril 7, 2018 at 5:35 AM

    Such a clever idea for this challenge, Gillena. The words that have been struck out add a whole new layer of meaning to the message.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gillena CoxApril 7, 2018 at 4:09 PM

    Thank you for your appreciation Kerry

    Much🌼love

    ReplyDelete

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