Veil

How can a bird born to fly

Lives in a cage to sit?

How can a woman born to joy

Must wear veil in her head

that forbids her to spread her wings?

 

Author's Note

...re-publishing for educational purposes.

Reviews

[Tree]

I agree with Coyote, a good question you ask here. Many Western countries question these restrictive societies, especially of Middle-Eastern countries, and ask why? why do these people countinue to allow themselves to live this way? It is sad that there are still huge swaths of humanity that at the very least, are not allowed to decide how, they choose to live. I think it is inherent in every human being to want spread their wings... A good poem Belle, that made us think

[Belle]

Thank you Diego for this insightful review. I think, anti fascism, resistance and liberation ideology of these western countries made them question this kind of custom. In my country we do not literary wear this veil in our head, but we are being thought to have it in our head figuratively. We are being thought morally that man has the authority over woman, that as woman we must learn in silence with all submissiveness, must live with it and accept it as like what natural law dictates it, so it is not really a question of why do we allow ourselves to live in a predetermined world but more of why do to system sets a marginalized society.

[Sami Khalil]

This might be a shocker to some but the Koran never talks about a veil . All it says is that women and men have to be modest in clothing. Most of my family are not veiled but one or two. It is their choice. The Koran says :" Let there be no compulsion in religion". All that you see was a tradition that women used to wear ( By the way men wore their headress too ) . Some theocracies force it and I don't agree with that for they are going against the teachings of their religion. It was and still is like the nuns in Catholisim still do wear their veils .
Personally I don't believe in it for I have studied and challenged others to show me that .
By the way some groups in Christianity still wear a sort of a veil like the menonites
and other conservative groups. It was mainly to denote married women from non married women . The bible says according to Paul that if women don't wear the veil in their church they should be shaven . You can check for yourself that.
A good write and traditions provoking.

[Dayran]

One woman can make a lot of difference, don't you think?

[Belle]

Exactly my point. So the question here is not in fact why do we allow ourselves to live in a predetermined world but more of how come this precept sets a marginalized society.

[Belle]

Freedom longs love....
This is a wonderful philosophic topic...

I can talk about this more with you in private one day!
For not harm others, in a free Dutch way of thinking,
(as actually you did too here) but I know I will hurt people
By my sharp and honest tongue sometimes...
I know you and me can handle... :) and Pax too :D
xxx Such a lovely write to make ponder anyone...

E.L.

[Belle]

Yes, I understand Dearest. I've known you as woman with honesty.
It will be of my most want to have your thought about it even in a private conversation. Meanwhile, thank you again for this thought from you.

[Pax]

Kabayan I can say you’ve touch a topic that creates a barrier to the beliefs of some…It’s deep and symbolic…. I can say I respect the reality of the facts showed in this country I’m in.... But ” being cage creates something hidden”,” like a desire suppress then explode in silent”…

“I can say there is something hidden in the depths of the veil…”

Literally a bird in a cage is lonely reality of domesticated animal…hope someday it will change, the mindset of things…like every human or animals have the rights to be free to do things on his/her own bidding…

[Belle]

I understand Kabayan, I think respect for them with regard to this practice comes out to you naturally since you(we) live in same world. You know exactly how submissive our women here in our country to the patriarch of the family.

[TLK]

I'm not overly fond of veils, but I'm not sure that they in-and-of-themselves stop a woman from expressing herself.
As part of an overwhelming patriarchy, yes, of course. But the veil is just one symbol of that insidious imbalancing -- a woman can wear a veil for her own reasons and be totally free.

We must accept this in order to formulate a good argument against theological oppression, otherwise we will look like the oppressors.

[Belle]

Thank you for this excellent response. No side of issue in my poem can escape from the views that you have cited. Allow me still to say, that wearing this veil is not just a matter of having the freedom of expression, it is beyond that.
In an overwhelming patriarchy, you have again cited an excellent point. Veil is only a symbol of authoritarian and yes woman can bear it of her own choice ( the least, we can do that now this days), but reality check: going against certain precept bears heavy consequences so as a result, most just accept this theological oppression rather allow themselves to practice transgression.

[TLK]

"most just accept this theological oppression rather allow themselves to practice transgression."read more"most just accept this theological oppression rather allow themselves to practice transgression."

Please turn this wordplay into a poem.

[Belle]

You gave me a great idea. Thank you so much.

[Tate Morgan]

sad isnt it may i never cause shame to my own like others of my kind. Women are to be cherished not tortured and demeaned

[Belle]

Thank you Sire for taking the time in dropping a review.
Don't feel sad for it is not your kind per se who make this things happen, I know.

[Coyote Poetry]

Good question raised in the poem. People raised in a prison. Don't know they are in one. If you are raised with certain customs. They become part of you. I like this poem. Good use of question and strong statements. A outstanding poem.
Coyote

[Belle]

Sadly, culture teaches human of what role should have in their lives.
Thank you Coyote for this read.

[Distant horizons]

The cruelty of man can take many guises. A lot said in so few words.

[Belle]

Oh my I just read your new poem. I found it very powerful, left me speechless so I did not leave a review. I just included it on my Favorites.

[Distant horizons]

Thankles manymegamuchly :-)

[Belle]

:))