Open Poetry #35 |
Thin Ribbons - Secret Times |
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Thin Ribbons ~ Secret Times Centuries Have covered up Our past. No one knew, Until recently That a silent language Existed fast In cryptic writing’s Mystery. Our men said, In their way, “No word from you, No reading, no say… Nothing will ever Give you the right To read, or write Into the night” Such as it was, Still, our souls Gathered dreams, And wove our goals Characters of Chinese worth Gained a slant, Became our earth. Nu Shu was Our story’s soul, Our poet’s dream, Which kept us Whole. Traditional writing Followed, it is true But with a slant Hardly left a clue… We talked of times Hardships, want, Marriages arranged, And controlling taunts. No one knew for The longest time Almost, almost, We spoke in mime; We spoke in forever With a twist of twine Secret scripts of Secret times. Altered scripts and Altered weave Gave us gifts We would not leave; Now they build A memory In honor of women And memories weave. ~*~ In a summation of some National Geographic Selections, I read [a year ago] today a very small article of the women of Jiangyong, China who, forbidden to learn to read or write, came up with a way to pass on their songs, their poetry and stories, in their own form, and created “Nu Shu”. They slanted "traditional writing", giving it a wispy, artistic look. Their men, for the longest time, never discovered how their own words, and actions, were used to describe how their lives would be recorded in time. How fortunate we are. |
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© Copyright 2005 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
Gentle Spirit Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989 |
indeed dear Lady.. thank you for this, it is thus marked |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
when I started reading this, immediately thought of the code...and ya know, it would give a whole new meaning to the word explaination, if even a hint of it were true, wouldn't it...sounds like a world conspiracy to me...I don't believe for one minute, God meant for woman suffrage. Well exicuted and thought out, this was one of those poems that stay with you throughout the day, feeding a sublimital message....thank you once again, for your articulate reflections |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
Very nice Kari! "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Sissie I do like what LeeJ Said: "thank you once again, for your articulate reflections" I thank you too...very interesting and always so beautiful, just like you! |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Thank you, Ladies. The whole idea of this brings to mind not only the ladies of China... but of other origins, as well. Just think of the artistry of the past in basket weaving, rug and blanket weaving, the patterns of the past, all telling stories... insignia of bygone times seen in quilling, feather stitching, let alone later day needlework...all leaving behind some example of communication. What can I say, but.... write on! |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
How fortunate indeed.....because of this, and because of what our written tradition has become -- PiP, for instance.... ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
I think I will subscribe to National Geographic again! Excellent write! |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Fortunate indeed we are Karilea. Thankyou for this. hugs, Chrislane Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
How fortunate we are indeed Karilea.. I'm so glad you posted this. Love ya hip-sis! ~Somewhere in my heart I'm always |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
The equal rights amendment (ERA) needs three more states to ratify and then it becomes law....It has been kicked around since 1923....when it becomes law it will be a great thing for all people, men and women... This poem reminds me of womens struggle here in our own country... Well done Kari.... ----------ice/ford ><> |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
How pure to write the art of living as art. What a wonderful share Karilea. Superb. TD |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Sunshine Well done and a delight to read. |
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DavePage Member Elite
since 2003-12-21
Posts 2917 |
Sunshine The winners write the books and consider the country now and only very recently did anyone not need "permission to marry" or to move from the rural with even now, no-one allowed to move beyond a propoganda machine. Women like men are people, good, bad or evil - bored press now seems to be the definitive minute majority My mother always said to me "why do I want equal rights", I've got my own way for years. It doesn't diminish the need for a balanced honest society but it does understand how society works and the words of few dont determined the works of many dave |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Women are smart! A beautiful tribute to those who had to find their own way of communication. Dave, what you refer regarding your mother, reminds me of my own. When women had not yet the right to vote in Switzerland, she always said that she had always influenced her husband convincing him of her own opinion. Woman Power was strong even before they were given rights by the authorities. Love, Margherita |
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