Episode 15: The Pantoum of Women
Hi everyone, I hope you’re doing as well as you can be this week. After International Women’s Day on March 8th, this week’s episode is inspired by America Ferrera’s speech in the Barbie movie. In the format of a pantoum poetic form, which repeats lines in succeeding stanzas, the contradictions women face are perpetually repeated and in conversation with each other—overlapping and taking on new meanings that simultaneously clarify and confuse, similar to how finding an answer/response to our questions opens the door of further questions. The purpose of this is to create a safe container for the cyclical feelings of overwhelm and exhaustion to be seen, heard, and shared.
I’ll share it with you now:
because today we will snip the feeding tube
turn our body & brain tissue inside out
and peel back layers of beefy mould soup
perhaps the antidote to gaslit doubt
turn our body & brain tissue inside out
in the wake of fitting (or not) ‘sensational’
perhaps the antidote to gaslit doubt
by a standard squeezed by ‘confrontational’
in the wake of fitting (or not) ‘sensational’
believing we did something wrong, festering
by a standard squeezed by ‘confrontational’
shouldering the fault, too self of career centring
believing we did something wrong, festering
too masculine, feminine, thin, not thin enough
shouldering the fault, too self of career centring
can’t ask for money we’re supposed to bluff
too masculine, feminine, thin, not thin enough
assertive, confident, bold bosses, leading groups
can’t ask for money we’re supposed to bluff
miser-fibred with idea crushing, creaming pursuits
assertive, confident, bold bosses, leading groups
and mothers who are working, with another job (or not)
miser-fibred with idea crushing, creaming pursuits
the most critical role the most devalued, silenced, forgot
and mothers who are working, with another job (or not)
respond for all the behaviour of the brotherhood’s paint
the most critical role is the most devalued, silenced, forgot
but say even a subtle word (a whisper of ache is complaint)
respond for all the behaviour of the brotherhood’s paint
pretty, not bewitching, opulent, tempting the Mrs.’ & Mr.s
but say even a subtle word (a whisper of ache is complaint)
because threatening other women leaves you no sisters
pretty, not bewitching, opulent, tempting the Mrs.’ & Mr.s
stand up and out, over there, in pale light that washes dull
because threatening other women leaves you no sisters
with grinning grace & patience, always be grateful
stand up and out, over there, in pale light that washes dull
and don’t wait to grow old with a little selfish fear
with grinning grace & patience, always be grateful
and shave it shiny when you fall down & fail rudely.
and don’t wait to grow old with a little selfish fear
and peel back layers of beefy mould soup
and shave it shiny when you fall down & fail rudely
because today we will snip the feeding tube
Breathe the words in. What do they make you feel or think? How did they connect with your senses? What colours or symbols did you notice? What meaning did you draw? Metaphors? Interpretations? Clarity? Messages?
