deepundergroundpoetry.com
FGM
When they cut off the clitoris
there's a spurt of blood--
the deepest kind of red.
The women
throw the bits in the fire
then dance barefoot
through the village
to bring good luck
and ward off evil spirits.
Everyone is smiling
because traditions are upheld
the chain
remains unbroken
but no-one heeds
the smallest voice
of a girl aged four--
only one
of a hundred
and twenty million.
there's a spurt of blood--
the deepest kind of red.
The women
throw the bits in the fire
then dance barefoot
through the village
to bring good luck
and ward off evil spirits.
Everyone is smiling
because traditions are upheld
the chain
remains unbroken
but no-one heeds
the smallest voice
of a girl aged four--
only one
of a hundred
and twenty million.
Published 3rd Aug 2011
| Edited 15th Jul 2012
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The author encourages honest critique.
3rd Aug 2011 8:03pm
While I wouldn't sign up for this to happen to me or anyone I know where do we draw the line when it comes to other peoples and their rituals? We strain everything through a Western viewpoint and allow some things to be protected while other things we renounce. Isn't that also a form of racism? Let's face it the subject you've written about is barbaric. Yet couldn't hundreds of other things within that culture be lauded? When we pick and choose what we find acceptable it's racism.
I'm relieved you share my utter disgust for this barbaric practice, but unlike you, Rick - I choose to write about it in order to raise awareness in some small way & if I'm honest to vent some of my own anger.
The people you know, may strain everything through a "Western viewpoint" but happily there are others who don't think in that fashion.
Freedom of choice is a universal right that transcends all cultures and for that reason I'm afraid your logic is a tad flawed.
Ask an adult female if she wants to have parts of her sexual organs removed and if she agrees - then fine.
Forcibly removing those body parts from children aged between 4 & 8 years - who have no say in the proceedings - I am not OK with.
And confusing common sense with racism will never contribute to an elegant solution or bring us closer to understanding diverse human behavior.
If you research FGM you will discover that many who still practice it today do not even know why the ritual is performed. They inflict it upon their children regardless of the lasting medical and emotional consequences simply because it's the custom - one that's as absurd as believing God will strike you dead for wearing a hat in church on Sunday.
Nonetheless, I do appreciate your visit.
Best ~ Abra(we used to burn witches)Cadabra.
The people you know, may strain everything through a "Western viewpoint" but happily there are others who don't think in that fashion.
Freedom of choice is a universal right that transcends all cultures and for that reason I'm afraid your logic is a tad flawed.
Ask an adult female if she wants to have parts of her sexual organs removed and if she agrees - then fine.
Forcibly removing those body parts from children aged between 4 & 8 years - who have no say in the proceedings - I am not OK with.
And confusing common sense with racism will never contribute to an elegant solution or bring us closer to understanding diverse human behavior.
If you research FGM you will discover that many who still practice it today do not even know why the ritual is performed. They inflict it upon their children regardless of the lasting medical and emotional consequences simply because it's the custom - one that's as absurd as believing God will strike you dead for wearing a hat in church on Sunday.
Nonetheless, I do appreciate your visit.
Best ~ Abra(we used to burn witches)Cadabra.
3rd Aug 2011 10:56pm
4th Aug 2011 9:18am
3rd Aug 2011 11:05pm
i'm about to look up this horrific mess. thank you for bringing it out-- i had no idea this practice even existed...
Anonymous
7th Aug 2011 11:28pm
Good poem, good intent....
Advocate for those poor little girls who have no say in this viscious practice, practiced to this day, on the sly, even in the USA
Advocate for those poor little girls who have no say in this viscious practice, practiced to this day, on the sly, even in the USA
