flowers below you, like grass.
All alone, tall, striking
mouth open,
flaunting your bits
for the bees and the bugs,
hoping that someone will
notice you and, drawn to the
tall red cup,
enter you,
take of you,
that the art that you are
may live on,
that it might extend
to new gardens and lawns
tall red cup in a new bed,
lips open wide
in the spring.
And who would call you a sin,
tall red Tulip?
For flowers bring glory to God.
No one covers a tulip when it blooms
in the spring,
not in protection from hungry eyes- eyes that
move hands to pick.
Not to shield children from looking inside
at the clandestine work
of the bees.
Where is the shame
in the making of honey,
the giving of pollen
to the wind?
Stand tall, beloved tulip
above purple grass
that kisses your roots,
tilts to see your red cup.
Stand tall to the sun,
with no shame
for your beauty,
never to be covered
never to feel guilty.
An interesting perspective expressed in an even more interesting way. What you are saying of course begs the question though, do the conservative Mennonite women who actively take part in this practice see it as oppressive (maybe too strong a word, I know)? It's like the French suggesting a ban on hijabs and prompting protests from French Muslim women who understand the cultural importance of the coverings. Probably too strong of a comparison again but something to consider.
ReplyDeleteI don't know Tyler. I think that question has to be answered on an individual basis. There are certainly women that find comfort and safety under a bonnet, a covering, a veil, or the hijab, but as an individual and a member of the Mennonite community, the idea of covering my hair or my head as a symbol of submission to God and to men is, to me, both unappealing and stifling. One point in the argument for covering that especially disturbs me is the idea that a woman needs to cover her hair because it is her 'glory', and that somehow it is shameful for her to display that glory. I can't pretend that I am especially familiar with the bible or other religious practices, but to the best of my knowledge, there is no equivalent 'covering of glory' for men. That is where I take issue with the practice. I also think that within the church, females have not been encouraged, or dare I say, allowed to fully express themselves, especially with regard to sexuality. I think that there is value in modesty, but I also think that it can become a rule, when it should be an individual choice. Allowing women to freely express themselves in the way that they wish to represent themselves visually is important in creating an atmosphere where women can finally feel free to express themselves.
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