Saturday, February 18, 2012

In the Body of a Woman





















Photo: (c) Jamie K. Reaser

I’ve been searching for the
source of your fear -

The wound that you
have forgotten,
but never healed.

The wound that has not
forgotten you.

How can any human being
choose to desecrate the
holy vessel from which they
emerged?

You were conceived
in the body of a woman.

Your father’s best swimming sperm
found your mother’s luminous egg,
and they joined in union.

You are nature’s miracle.

In time, your fingers and toes
took their form in the body
of a woman.

You wiggled them delightfully.
What wonderment.
And sucked your tiny thumb.
What comfort.

You became unmistakably human
in the womb of a woman.

I’m curious:

What about that disgusts you?

Please, tell me. I want to know.

In the body of a woman.

You’ve burned us,
beat us,
stoned us,
owned us,
molested and raped us –

body and soul.

Witch.

Whore.

Chattel.

Cunt.

Bitch.

Mother.

Daughter.

Sister.

Aunt.

Niece.

Do my breasts actively offend you?

Does my vagina scream profanities?

Do you think my loins are the Devil’s hiding place?

Please, help me. I want to understand.

In the body of a woman.

This, my body, is nourishment.

This, my body, is love.

This, my body, is creation.

Why does this, my body, terrify you so?

Please, sit with me awhile. I want to embody compassion.

In the body of a woman.

Wounds are not healed through bloodshed.

Wounds are not healed through oppression.

Wounds are not healed through loss of dignity or shaming.

Wounds are not healed in ink.

Oh why are you compelled to try to do so?

Please, take my hand. I want to help you find another way.

In the body of a woman.

I’ve been searching for the
source of your fear -

The wound that you
have forgotten,
but never healed.

The wound that has not
forgotten you.

Please, listen for just a moment.

Please, I want you to hear just this:

If I could take your body into my open arms,

and heal all your wounds,

I would.

In the body of a woman.


~ Jamie K. Reaser, Author
From "Coming Home: Learning to Actively Love this World"
Published by Talking Waters Press

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16 comments:

  1. Yes! Such strength and power in this, sister of my heart. xoxo

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    1. Thank you Alyce...for your words and Sisterhood. What a gift you are. xoxo

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  2. As a Grandmother, and woman who suffered abuse at the hands of large men, most of my growing up life, this spoke volumes and then some to me Jamie. The fact that I did not meet anyone even close to you, your poetry, your wisdom, until my forties, bespeaks a time now for me to heal from all of the large men. If I had known this poem early on, I would have handed this to them. Perhaps they would have been healed too? I continue to heal from these issues even though it has been years. And I, too, would have taken their body into my open arms and healed them if I could have. Now, I wonder what they think of me, as I am filled with strength I never knew I posessed.

    Once again the shivers...

    You touch my spirit and soul woman!
    Cascading Blessings Jamie!!!
    xoxoxo

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    1. Akasa I bow in honor of your voice, your courage, and the radiant light that you are. The deepest wounds are the "sacred wounds" -- healing wells in which the Gifts the world needs most can be found. Blessings to you Sister

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  3. Reading this with my mouth open in awe of its Truth, it's Compassion and it's Power.

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  4. so powerful, lovely woman! love it....! <3 <3 <3 and you!!! <3 <3 <3

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  5. Thank you Beth. Grateful you lovely woman! xo

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  6. Now that's a universal poem . . . the lasting kind that applies to country, nation, world, all.What woman has not been subject to what you've woven above?
    But, as you imply, the best solution is understanding and forgiving and Forgetting (keep awareness of the lesson, but letting the story line go.)

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    1. Thank you Mickey. It's always good to see you here...

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  7. Thank you! So glad to have you here. Welcome.

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  8. This is so powerful Jamie, I think all women need to hear it. Thank you for sharing your amazing gifts with us.

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  9. I was overwhelmed to FEEL like A Woman of your beautiful yet so powerful Poem describes, Thank you for the wisdom you not only see but feel within your realm of life both as Man & Woman..Love & Light Jamie

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  10. Thank you, Siobhan and Tina...for your comments, your presence here, and your Sisterhood. _/\_

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