Entrenched in self in harmful ways;
Consumed by lust, by fear, by doubt,
Please quench dark flames; in kindness shout!
Back to the root of things, I say.
Remember that heirs’ ripples pay
The price, do not your cruelty flout.
Set down the gender roles you ought.
Seek out the root of things, I say.
Please walk the walk, stop playing games!
Don’t train your kids to play a role!
(All parents understand just how.)
Back to the root of things, I say.
Continue them, continue shame;
Release them, let a New Age glow,
Where soul to soul our species grow.
Act from the root of things, I say!
Today’s offering is a kyrielle form poem.
Reena Saxena is the host of Reena’s Exploration Challenge. Reena says:
The image and quotes are indicative, not restrictive. You have full freedom to write anything, as long as the central concept is womanhood. Male perspectives on the same are welcome.
Grace is today’s host for dVerse’ Open Link Night.
Tao Talk 
Great poem.
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Thank you, Sadje.
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You’re welcome Li.
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In many ways, gender stereotypes are such a prison… like growing with limitations
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Parents can only do their best. I made a point of dressing my daughter in non-gender specific clothes and giving her independence and choice. She has grown into a wonderful woman and mother, who has also tried not to gender type her son, but he insists on tractors and trucks!
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It is a cultural web that we are ensnared in that perpetuates patriarchy. Pushing a child away from their preference when it aligns with the stereotype is just as harmful as steering them towards a non-stereotype I would imagine. Let them be.
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“Act from the root of things” … wise advise. “If the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind”.
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🙂 Well said, Beverly!
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The Mao quote is a very wise one. Your poem could be a song too.
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Reena chose the quote. Thanks, Jane.
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🙂
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You had me at /release them, let a New Age glow; where soul to soul our species grow/. Parenting, what a reality, what uncharted journeys. My three daughters finished college and have whelped 9 grandchildren; eureka.
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Glad you connected with the poem, Glenn. Parenting is an adventure and often highlights just how inadequate parents are to the responsibility to oversee the development of another human being. My two sons, now in their 30’s, are both capable of sustaining long-term relationships. No grandkids yet other than 3 furbabies! I know you must enjoy your grandkids. They are the consolation prize for getting your kids to adulthood 🙂
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Nice repeating line of getting to the root of things.
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Thank you, Frank.
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Wise words.
I think your response to Kim:
“It is a cultural web that we are ensnared in that perpetuates patriarchy. Pushing a child away from their preference when it aligns with the stereotype is just as harmful as steering them towards a non-stereotype I would imagine. Let them be.”
speaks to and for me,
Anna :o]
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❤ Thank you, Anna, and glad you connect with it.
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Yes indeed -you tackle a big subject here – how to nurture children steadily towards the true core of themselves and to believe this essential and often tentative core of who they are has real value and can produce wonderful and beautiful things for the world – back to the root indeed… Bravo!
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Thanks, Scott, yes 🙂
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This is incredibly potent! The entire poem reads like a song .. like a manifesto. I love; “Seek out the root of things.” 💝
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Sanaa, thank you very much.
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Walk the walk – great lesson for us all.
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Thanks, Grace.
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I came across kyrielle for the first time. You have used the rhyme scheme and meter effectively. The following lines are beautiful.
Release them, let a New Age glow,
Where soul to soul our species grow.
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Reena, thank you very much.
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Reblogged this on Reena Saxena and commented:
Lisa’s contribution to Exploration Challenge #125
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like the flow and depth … parenting is not an easy feat!
Well done on successfully raising two sons 🙂
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Thank you, Kate. They succeeded despite me 😉
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lol I don’t believe that for a minute Lisa … I know they would treat women well or have to answer to their mother!
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Well that part, yes, true!
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Really great poem. I also believe in ‘Let them be…’
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Glad you enjoyed the poem, Indira, thank you.
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Welcome, dear.
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We keep saying parenting is not easy yet most of us ease into parenting without much thought! So many takeaways in your beautiful kyrielle…back to roots, walk the walk, New Age glow, soul to soul…so much wisdom!
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Thanks, Punam! I agree about the parenting, as we are young and do a lot of things without much thought. Glad you enjoyed the poem.
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I sure did! You are welcome, Li. 🙂
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My niece was complaining the other day about how hard parenting is (not about gender roles, but in general). I think I’m fortunate to have two wonderful, caring daughters, despite whatever mistakes I may have made. 🙂
I like the repetition of back to the roots.
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Merril, I think parenting becomes more difficult when we try to push our children into things they have no interest in doing or being. It becomes much easier to let them be (while making sure they are safe.) Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
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Very thought provoking….I think children see things clear and simple, until adults step in.
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Well done Lisa. The repetition worked very well! Such a good message for all of us.
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Thanks much, Dwight.
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