Shrouded - pipTalk Forums

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

KimW
Member

since 2000-03-04

Posts 268
Medford, Oregon, USA

0 posted 2002-05-02 11:49 PM

I can not hide in a shrouded mask of cloth anymore.
Suffocating slowly in the binds of society
that rip the essence of me
- at the core.

Fear courses through me -
yet I trudge through doorways,
head down,
eyes averted from every passer-by -
just to beg for moldy bread
to feed my children.

I must remain invisible by blending
with other shrouded women,
never walking with a man,
other then my husband or a relative.
Lest I be lashed or stoned.

I remain hidden by darkened windows -
huddling at times in the corner of a dirtpaved floor.
Symbolic paint over the windows
makes my presence known.

I am weary of my everyday
yet fearful to make a change.
This is what my society considers
to be norm.

I can wish and dream for a day
when I am unbound,
free to walk among all of society
without my head bent down.
No cloth hiding my beautiful eyes,
my glowing skin,
the radiant smile that I extend.

I can wish and dream for a day
when I am no longer hungry,
the children have not lost their innocence,
there is no such thing as public stonings.

- I hear whispers that some women
are doing that now.

©KdW, 2001

Mistletoe Angel

Member Empyrean

since 2000-12-17

Posts 32816
Portland, Oregon

1 posted 2002-05-03 12:03 PM

(big huggssssssss) Oh Kim, this is so very powerful, sweet friend, this had me thinking about the women in the Middle East and other parts of the world who are trying to defend their rights and I only pray somehow they can get through all of this torment and find peace and hope along with all the youth of the world! (sigh) This is wonderfully heartfelt, sweet friend, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Kim, thank you for sharing!

May love and light always shine upon you!

Love,
Noah Eaton

"Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..."

Shakira

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius

since 2001-10-23

Posts 10549
By the Seaside

2 posted 2002-05-03 02:00 AM

Insigtful and nicely said Kim~
It is a culture I can't even imagine living in. It seems unfair that so many women in this day and age suffer such hardships in order to survive.

ecrivan
Member Elite

since 2001-12-10

Posts 3923
my own state

3 posted 2002-05-03 08:46 AM

This is a society that I have lived in...some may yearn for change, some dress to 'modern' standards, yet others are more than content to follow traditions which includes wearing the bourka

Dark Stranger
Member Patricius

since 2001-03-19

Posts 13631
West Coast

4 posted 2002-05-03 09:20 AM

heavy tunes
of a song that all hear
and some cover their ears
to pretend it is not
playing

enjoyed the write

KimW
Member

since 2000-03-04

Posts 268
Medford, Oregon, USA

5 posted 2002-05-04 12:06 PM

Thank you - each of you for your warm and kind responses. Your thoughts are all insightful. It is all about being able to "choose."

I tend to be a very independant person, so I can not even fathom what is considered "norm" for these women.

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.