Tethers Poem by Marianne Reninger
Tethers
Are you
Pink Ribbons,
Pliable playthings of powerful men,
Bending easily, manipulated by
Fingers tying you in Knots?
Are you
A Jump Rope,
Singing your song of innocence,
Skipping to the beat, unaware of the
Beast that stalks your scent?
Are you
SweetGrass,
Sprouting in nubile bliss,
Ready to be woven into rounded baskets, but
Soon to be Harvested by a greedy grip?
Or Are you
A Seaman's Rope,
Proud of your tensile strength,
Ready to hold at anchor,
Your dignity, your worth, and your choice?
This is what poetry is supposed to be- -not only well-written but provocative. If only young teens could be addressed in such terms- -those teen years are so dangerous to their future. They need to see beyond the moment, see beyond the peer pressure. Sigh. Parents are too busy working to keep a roof over their head, and come home tired to cook dinner, see that their children have done their schoolwork, send them off to their room while they stagger to the couch and stare exhaustedly at the TV. Need to grasp time and force it to yield generous opportunity to talk with the children while they still hear parents. Oh, my, look what you have done to me- - I'm up here on my soap box preaching to the preacher! ! ! ! Excellent poem in so many ways, Marianne.10
I got married at 4 days 18. Luckily, I had a special person that managed to grow with me and we both grew together, and now have been happily together many, many years. But what you said was right, when I was 18 there were so many older predators out there when I wasn't mature enough to deal with them. And the times weren't condusive to deal with them. This was written for today's young women; to give them choices; to maintain their dignity and future. Thanks for all your insights!
This poem addresses the concept of womanhood of gender equality and of gender confusion. What are we? Regardless of what we select, we are some sort of tether. What do we tie ourselves to? I choose the seaman's rope, but I must admit that I've been them all. This is a well written poem. I like the form and structure you selected, it fits thematically with the poem and it makes it easy for the reader to follow along. Well written, well conceived, well received. Thanks! :)
Thanks, Pamela. I thought of many other tethers that held us as young women from my growing years in the 60's and 70's in particular, but had to pare them down. But we as American women, are so fortunate, that the ties that bind are ones that we can change, shake off, or, at least survive through. Other women don't have any options.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/26/2024 3:47:45 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Inventive and provocative. Art as commentary, not just third party, objective commentary, but the kind that can engage fissures and cracks and contribute to an avalanche. Not all change comes about through the power of striking blows. Ghandi demonstrated that there can be as much power released in the way a blow is received as there is in the way a blow is given. Keep writing, keep speaking, keep living in strength and independence. There are those who follow after who must hear your voice.
Thanks Neal! Yes, young people sometimes need soft reminders that its ok to be strong. To resist power and stand up for themselves. They don't have the confidence to think that they, of all the powerful peole surrounding them, know the right way. We need to remind them! Set the example and to follow their own instincts.