The Tao of Women
17 August 2012
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
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.
Posted by: Lindsay Bond | 18 August 2012 at 12:35 AM
I don't know much about poetry but there's no mistaking the beauty of a Tufi girl!
Posted by: Doug Robbins | 17 August 2012 at 06:45 PM
I think we might have a poet who farms Michael.
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 17 August 2012 at 05:52 PM
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".
Posted by: Mrs Barbara Short | 17 August 2012 at 04:51 PM
Yes, good, very good, Michael.
I never suspected that farmers could write poems... :-)
Posted by: Michael Lorenz | 17 August 2012 at 04:43 PM
Thanks Lapieh.
Keith I am liking the picture very much. Thanks for that touch.
Posted by: Michael Dom | 17 August 2012 at 03:57 PM
Beautifully put :)
Posted by: Lapieh Landu | 17 August 2012 at 03:14 PM