Beauty's Lessons

this poem is based on a dream i had. I am not a feminist, but I am a woman who believes in equal rights of ALL. This poem is more an emotional portrayal on the subject of the abuse of beauty.

Beauty:  "the qualities that give pleasure to the senses,"
So says the dictionary of man.
Last night I had a dream that I was running from a mafia of men,
All wanting me for my "unusual beauty."
The fear I felt inside was inexplicably tantalizing to them�"
A slave in their arms, how brave to capture my charms,
A gift of unique image to exploit in the night.
What has led our nation, nay, our world,
To treat women as idols, like idle dolls,
Masquerading beauty where ugliness really lives?
When a child is broken beneath the bones of lust
And then atoned in the church of rebellion's rust,
Who can speak for her? Who dares to raise their voice
Against the charcoal-hearts of patriarchal choice?
And these men (whether they know it or not) are in their own binds,
Tightened over time, as the clock of justice tolls on.
Destiny's drum-roll is heard over the hills of integrity,
Accompanying the sun-rise of a new day,
One in which we pray instead of pay.

DeleVan Sont-an DellErba---All Rights Reserved.