The Tao of Women

MICHAEL DOM

In our war of opposite sexes
Consider, arrogant fools, The Tao
Humility gives them their power
There is a time for their submission
They know this, while we look for visions
And praise our own strengths and aggression
Their submission becomes a virtue
Neither as weakness nor as penance
Rather abiding their time; patience.

Their ying to our yang, too oft denied
Their brave hearts hid, suffer our service
Their wise heads bowed to please our power
Their bright eyes dimmed to ease our egos
Yet in their immortal souls, a fire

And their bodies too, burn with desire
There, in the warm cradle of their womb
And in their arms, our children are borne
A victory over them spells doom.

Written some time after my return from conducting training with a group of women farmers; nine lines in each stanza, with nine syllables in each line; Labu Station, 8 August 2012

Comments

[Lindsay Bond]

Of photographic juxtaposition: folk of Tufi have qualities appellant; surely no case against.

Of celebrating Michael's use of verse: may it foster invitation, such as for perspectives more feminine, and for vantage upon other philosophical bases.

[Doug Robbins]

I don't know much about poetry but there's no mistaking the beauty of a Tufi girl!

[Phil Fitzpatrick]

I think we might have a poet who farms Michael.

[Mrs Barbara Short]

Yes, beautiful.
Let's hope the "war of opposite sexes" will end soon in PNG.
The PNG Parliament needs good PNG women to help in the daily "battle between good and evil".

[Michael Lorenz]

Yes, good, very good, Michael.

I never suspected that farmers could write poems... :-)

[Michael Dom]

Thanks Lapieh.

Keith I am liking the picture very much. Thanks for that touch.

[Lapieh Landu]

Beautifully put :)