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Her Hypocrisy

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To subdue passion and to veil her soul She dresses cravings sweet in bland disguise A righteous life to live does take its toll And brings the tears unbidden to her eyes A woman bowing down to culture’s norm Must be demure and coy, not fierce and bold Forbidden her desire in wanton form And so the flame dies out and life turns cold Yet deep within her heart the embers lie Their savage smolder felt through tortured night Her sensuality she must deny Though from her play and sway it shines out bright Her soul succumbs to this hypocrisy A woman vowed to "moral" chastity Eileen Manassian In parts of the Middle East young girls are still circumcised to prevent sensual cravings....I've written a poem about this for Richard Lamoureux's contest a while back. His contest was entitled, Girl Rising...and my poem was entitled, "Not too Late for Tears." This poem was written for another contest, but I did not enter it. I deleted it and am now reposting. It makes me sad when people don't understand the restrictions woman face due to culture and other factors when it comes to issues of their own sensuality. I wish people would be more understanding.

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/22/2015 1:55:00 AM

hmmm, they still go off the side so that means nobody can see completely what we are saying to you. I sure hope YOU are seeing your comments completely!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/22/2015 1:54:00 AM

Hey, can you see my comments clearly from where you are seeing them. When I view the comments others are giving you, they disappear off to the right margin. That is why I am not typing the lines in this box all the way to the right. I'm testing to see how they will appear!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/22/2015 1:54:00 AM

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/22/2015 1:52:00 AM

Yes, this thing being done to young girls is appalling. I heard it happened a lot in parts of Africa, and I wonder how prevalent it is elsewhere. That last stanza and couplet were perfect meter, so lovely, Eileen. A beautiful flowing poem!

Tim Ryerson

Date: 8/17/2015 1:32:00 PM

May the 'savage smolder' of their hearts set fire and burn to the ground all the norms and traditions you have described in your footnote dear lady...You have shined your own light on an important, relevant subject written with your usual elegant and irresistible style...

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/17/2015 1:46:00 PM

Thank you, dear Tim. I have more about this in a blog entitled...You Don't Know How Good You've Got It. Perhaps you'd like to give it a read. It might be painful for I know you have a tender heart. Hugs, Tim.

Emile Pinet

Date: 8/17/2015 11:31:00 AM

Your sad emotions lift themselves off the page and define your reality. As always the author pours out her soul and paints her words with pathos and emotion. Emile.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/17/2015 12:31:00 PM

Yes, dear Emile....There is sadness in this write. It is hard to conform....when one's spirit is crying to be free. Thank you for your visit. Hope all is well.

Mama Bear

Date: 8/17/2015 10:24:00 AM

Through all history men have tried to keep women from being themselves. Finally in this century it is changing. Hopefully all women will someday be able to be what they feel inside. Well done and keep on writing the things you feel. Much love Edith

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/17/2015 1:07:00 PM

It's very sad, Mama. Sometimes women are though to be merely possessions. It's good to speak out about the rights that are denied us. Thank you for being so sweet and kind in spirit. Hugs to you, dear .

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/17/2015 9:31:00 AM

I find the practice appalling, I will never fully understand the depravity of men. It is good that you are bringing attention to the plight of so many girls and women in that part of the world. It is good that you are reposting your poem.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 8/17/2015 4:43:00 AM

Nature doesn't do something without a reason. If a woman is created with certain desires it means that she should fulfill those desires under certain conditions and not to subdue these desires by barbaric means that any culture can devise. A great poem my friend, Eilleen. I feel sorry for all those women who have fallen victims to ignorance! Unfortunately people outside of such cultures have difficulties understanding the magnitude of the problem. A seven!

Arthur Vaso

Date: 8/16/2015 11:07:00 PM

The first step is to give the powerless voices, you have done that. There is no honor killing, only dishonorable ones, that anyone based on gender or race or religion is subjected to such horrors is disgusting. I commend you for this amazing poem!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/16/2015 11:50:00 PM

Thanks, Arthur. It is a sad truth. In this part of the world...killings for all of those reasons is very real...and yes, it is dishonorable. :( Lebanon is more progressive than other countries; however, vendettas are a reality as well. I know of a family in which killing goes on from one general to another. Some misunderstanding lead to murder....and it continues. Thanks for the visit. :) You Honor me with it. Hugs...

Robert Lindley

Date: 8/16/2015 9:23:00 PM

A powerful and much needed poem on the atrocities inflicted upon women in some cultures/religions IMHO. You wrote it with such vigor and passion my friend. I salute that truth you share so well in this fine sonnet! A7

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/16/2015 11:57:00 PM

Thank you, Robert. I'm touched by your post. This sonnet doesn't actually deal with that issue, but I made reference to it in my foot note. If you have time and the inclination, please check these two poems of FGM....Hugs, Robert and thank you for visiting and commenting. http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/not_too_late_for_tears__girl_rising_494050

Faye Gibson

Date: 8/16/2015 7:24:00 PM

Eileen, this is a powerful and well written cry for the women of this world who are still abused by those who are supposed to love them the most. Thank you for posting it; more needs to be said and done to stop this awful practice.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/17/2015 1:11:00 AM

Thank you, Faye. I do appreciate your visit and comment. We do need to speak out about it. If you would like to read my poem about it, here is the link: http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/not_too_late_for_tears__girl_rising_494050 Fortunately my church group has been campaigning to have an end to this practice. I even shared a link where soupers can go to sing a petition. If you are interested in reading that, here is the link. http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/sign_a_petition_to_stop_fgm__follow_up_to_my_girl_rising_poem_494240 Thank you for reading, Faye. Much appreciated.

Tim Smith

Date: 8/16/2015 6:34:00 PM

Eileen I can't imagine a father letting this happen to his daughter. I have two girls and of course I don't want them to be sexually promiscuous but I do want them to grow to be great women and experience everything beautiful.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/17/2015 1:16:00 AM

The sad thing is, because it is outlawed in many countries, people take their daughters to women who do not have the proper medical background or tools to perform it properly. The girls are traumatized and some even lose their lives. It is so much more than that, Tim. The double standards here regarding issues of sexuality are really....sad. Thanks for the visit. Hugs

Alexis Y.

Date: 8/16/2015 6:27:00 PM

Eileen, this is a powerful thought provoking piece. To have your body scared and marred is so sad. Every woman should have the right to experience sensual sensations. Thanks for shedding light on this issue. Alexis 7

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/17/2015 1:18:00 AM

I believe that as well, Alexis. Every woman must have that right. Thankfully, it is not practiced among Armenians in the Middle East. Lebanon is also free of this, to my knowledge. In some parts of Egypt and Africa, this practice is still done, albeit....under cover. Thanks for your support, dear. Hugs

Jan Allison

Date: 8/16/2015 3:26:00 PM

such a powerful write Eileen Bravo for posting it:-) hugs jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 4:04:00 PM

How can we tell lol some claim to be adults but as you know they act like stroppy teenagers so we would never know ! Hugs Jan xx

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/16/2015 4:00:00 PM

I really wish there were a way to know how many of the poets here are below 15. In this day and age, Jan....kids can teach us a thing or two. Vulgarity is one thing....but times have changed. Hugs

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/16/2015 3:58:00 PM

Yes, I do understand. I do. I just wanted to thank you for writing it. That's all. You are a good friend to me, Jan. Bless you.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/16/2015 3:32:00 PM

Eileen I was trying to make a comparison - you are the queen of passion you let our imagination take over where your imagery ends ... the other poems I have seen are at the opposite end of the spectrum and I really don't want to read about graphic sexual acts anywhere but especially on a 'family site' Hugs jan xx

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/16/2015 3:28:00 PM

Jan.....I want to thank you for what you wrote about my sensual poetry not being over the mark. You are so good to me....I'm really so tired of having to deal with issues like this in real life...and now here on the site. Guess I better write about the birds and bees! ;)

Anu Nayak

Date: 8/16/2015 3:23:00 PM

Dear Eileen.....such a good poem so well written with such a deep meaning.....very true many a time woman's soul succumbs to hypocrisy.... a 7!!!:-)......love, Anu:-)

Anu Nayak
Date: 8/17/2015 9:43:00 AM

Dear Eileen, it would be my pleasure to visit your blog! you may share the link or are your blogs on poetry soup? if on PS I will surely visit....you are always welcome Eileen:-)......love, Anu

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/17/2015 9:33:00 AM

Anu....this was a new term for me, Dear. I'd never heard of it before. Thanks ever so much for giving me some background information. I'm about to post a blog. You may want to visit. I'm aware of the practice of binding the feet....SO sad. Thanks ever so much for the information. Hugs, Dear.

Anu Nayak
Date: 8/17/2015 12:05:00 AM

Dear Eileen, please read the term."breastplating" in my previous comment "as "breast ironing"...error is regretted......had read it years ago so got confused...... thank you....Anu

Anu Nayak
Date: 8/16/2015 10:12:00 PM

Dear Eileen....sure will try to read the book you suggested..but i feel this hypocrisy deeply etched in several walks ...ritualistic , social, religion, cultural...has to change and there needs to be great change and awareness ..this wrong set beliefs should erode.. similar to FGM ..another practice...breastplating...i had read in an.article practiced in middle east....on teenage girls by their mothers....and the mothers believe that voluptious girls are vulnerable to sexual exploitation...so to avoid mothers usually do it.....and one more kind of such flower feet (tying feet by bending toe to touch heel)...in china .now fully banned ...just in the false name of preserving moral chastity in women....its absolute assassination of liberty... well dear poem you wrote throwing light on such a deep issue.....love, Anu

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/16/2015 4:03:00 PM

It is a poem with very deep meaning, Anu. Thanks for seeing that. There is a lot of double standard here in the Middle East. Men are encouraged to be.....sexually active and experience whereas women must be chaste and inexperienced. Honor killings take place if a women brings shame to her family by losing her virginity before marriage. Of course....not in all parts of the Middle East. Read the book: Burned Alive. It will really shake you....Thanks for the visit, dear.