The Veil Poem by Sandra Martyres
The Veil
At the tender age of fourteen
She was summoned to appear before
The senior women of the clan
All dressed in their traditional long cloaks
With only their faces exposed
She approached them in fear
Afraid of what she might have to hear
But, they in one voice without faltering
Did solemnly declare that no longer
Could she walk around freely
She now needed observe the social taboos
Whenever she ventured outdoors
She would have to cover her head
With her late mother’s long veil
That they so graciously presented to her
It was made of satin and had what looked like
Embroidered mesh on one side
They declared that as the senior women
It was their duty to initiate her
Into the accepted tenets of clan behavior
She had reached the age of puberty
And like all good women in the community
She would have to follow the rules
No more kicking footballs outside school
No more talking to strange boys
She needed to hide herself under the veil
Which they carefully draped around her head
The only light she could see was through
The mesh that covered her face
At home she could still move around
With her face exposed
On hearing the stringent code of conduct
She cringed but spoke out aloud
That she was a modern young woman
She was educated
Why should she be forced to follow
Archaic rules framed by some old fashioned men
Just to show their power over women
The elders stared back in shock
No one had ever dared to raise such questions
And then they all spoke out in unison
Child –we women have no right to talk of freedom
That is the way it was and that is the way it will be
There are no exceptions not for you and not for me
Sandra, as ex armed services I have witnessed many things in my life...How many nations have been crippled by their goverments religious hold over their people.....How wars have been fought...for what we seem to be a pointless act. When I was based in the Gulf, This subject on which you have written...is very much a way of life.....What ever happened to choice....The lord gave to us..Will.....I've never believed that anyone should have to mask their beauty from this world....we are all here to love, learn and live together.....its such a shame. Thanks for this eye opener of a piece....its wonderfully written..and touches the heart of all that understand God bless you always Jon
this is a great and a sad emotional write, , glad that we women here in our country are given the freedom whom we would like to talk to es. the men
Thundering emotions! You have flaggarded the useless traditions. Very good poem Sandra
Written with sensitivity and grace.10 without hesitation. Warm regards, Sandra
Yes, when men have to cover women with head-to-toe drapery, it really worries me what is going on behind closed doors when the curtains are opened.
sandra, why does this happen? in my place kerala, we have the most educated number of muslim women. but the number of pardah-clad omen are increasing day by day. some people say that they waer it because of religios threats. some as fashion.. some as truely religios ethics... but sad...they are mere sex-toys with suppressed freedom...your concern is true....almost all religions are male domonated... all are cracks.......
Date & Time: 5/4/2009 12: 02: 00 PM Remove this comment Poem: 17071982 - # The Veil Member: Rajkumar Mukherjee Comment: Dear Sandra, I absolutely agree with you that in this century this type of cruelness must stop.You have an uncanny nack of picking up may be controversial but true problems of the society, at least prevailing in certain parts of the world.Very descriptive and brave exposition. Thanks for sharing, -Rajkumar
Dear Sandra, I absolutely agree with you that in this century this type of cruelness must stop.You have an uncanny nack of picking up may be controversial but true problems of the society, at least prevailing in certain parts of the world.Very descriptive and brave exposition. Thanks for sharing, --Rajkumar
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Delivering Poems Around The World
Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge...
4/23/2024 1:38:33 AM # 1.0.0.1119
the sad thing here is that this veil and cloak is only for us WOMEN so sad naa-- why this discrimination- when finally we die we are reduced to earth just like any one else -10 anjali