International Women’s Day

Join me in celebrating International Women’s Day tomorrow. This poem written last year is inspired by ‘Woman’ a painting by Jackson Pollock and The Testaments written by Margaret Atwood: I’ve included a powerful scene from the television adaption. Please be advised the video contains images that may be disturbing to some viewers. May we continue to strive for gender equality worldwide.

The Woman

Drop earrings, droopy breasts;
everyone invests in the woman.

Heels heightened, centerfolds;
everyone’s frightened of the woman.

Drill bit arms, collarbone bowl;
everyone farms and hoes the woman.

Mouth worth dismissing, milk carton calves;
everyone’s missing the woman.

Slit of fine-grained slate, thighs that chafe;
everyone gestates in the woman.

Modeling clay, a man’s property;
everyone tries to splay the woman.

31 responses to “International Women’s Day”

John

Am an amazing poem, really grabs me! 🤭

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, John. Was in a melancholy mood here, and well poetry happens in all shades of feeling for me.
  
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  1. John
    
    The photo is ethereal, your words tell the tale well.
    
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  2. K.Hartless
    
    Thanks, John. It’s one of Pollocks few nonabstract paintings. Just seems to capture something unsaid, so I tried to say that.
    
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  3. John
    
    Well done!
    
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Ingrid

So well said! It’s all true!!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thanks, Ingrid. Very sad, but true, as I reflected on myself and the painting. Will hope for more for my daughter. Will hope for continued change.
  
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  1. Ingrid
    
    I am trying to educate my sons to respect women too!
    
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  2. K.Hartless
    
    That’s wonderful introspection. Yes, I hope to do the same with my son.
    
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GraceoftheSun

🙌💕🙌💕

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Many thanks, Grace.
  
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  1. GraceoftheSun
    
    My pleasure.💕
    
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johnlmalone

great painting: a Pollock: never would have guessed ; your poem serves it well —

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abigfatcanofworms

I find this poem a bit scary. That’s a comment on mood not quality. And the last line seals the deal. It’s so objectifying. It’s very powerfully written. And as confronting as the artwork.

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1. eob2
  
  Well said worms, I felt the same reading it. It’s a very powerful piece the art and poem. 🖤👏🏼
  
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  1. K.Hartless
    
    Thank you. It’s strange because I love viewing art and then you run across something that grabs you and demands you try and do it justice. That’s what happened, and I fear I may have only done it partial justice, but perhaps with time….
    
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2. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you. The painting, well you can’t look away when you see it. The piece, I hope its the same. Maybe lingers a bit later. Hoping my muse brings me some lighthearted summer frolics soon, for all our sakes. 😉
  
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  1. eob2
    
    You’re welcome. The muse can be a fickle creature, we just follow where it takes us. 😉
    
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Mister Bump UK

A good one for Mother’s Day. So hats off to you for not posting on Mother’s Day.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Ah, well, there’s always next year. Good piece for 4th of July weekend upcoming, too. More freedom fights still to be won.
  
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  1. Mister Bump UK
    
    always further to go.
    
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writingwhatnots

Powerful combination – your words and Pollock’s painting.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, kindly. The painting spoke to me, and so I let it talk a bit.
  
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Hobbo

A powerful reminder of how far we have to go: very well said.

voices of substance, shun enequality;
everyone admires the woman.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Oh, what a lovely addition. Thank you, Hobbo.
  
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luisa zambrotta

Such an amazing poem!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Many thanks, Luisa. 😀
  
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Jeff Flesch

A sad poem, with truth front and center. Wonderfully expressed, K.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you. The Pollack piece spoke to me. I’m so glad you saw the truth in it. There’s nothing more satisfying than being seen.
  
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Twinkle Moitra

So beautifully portrayed….great post!!!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Many thanks. I’m so glad this resonated with you.
  
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