what words

what words to choose, to use
when no words seems suitable
when language seems meaningless
and all the old symbols reflect thought patterns
that died so long ago
what modes of expression can be employed
when nothing fits into the
spaces left open for truth and meaning?
instead there are attempts at grasping for translations
old worlds falling away new worlds emerging
they wonder who or what my muse is
but i could not explain that if i wanted to
so i stumble through the days like I know what I am doing
just like all of us
pretending to know
to have mastered something
to have truly loved someone

Update and expansion on the Miley vs. Sinead situation- reflecting a much deeper longstanding issue

The two camps of women I mentioned earlier, have sub- groups of course. Really there is a split between two main sets of perception. At the heart of both of each perceptions is the fervent belief that their view and ways of being a woman is what will get the respect of the patriarchy and the respect or at least the attention from men in their lives. It comes down to power, and powerlessness. I will articulate both sides and let everyone decide where they stand.

On the one hand, some women have, since the dawn of humanity, looked to make a profit off of men desiring them, and in many cases actually have sex with them in exchange for money, goods, fame, a promotion and so on. This is considered prostitution, sex work, what have you. In reality, the institution of marriage is based upon a woman as commodity and property, first of her father, then her husband takes over. As women, we have always had to concede power over our lives to the men in our lives and if we did not, historically we were persecuted, marginalized, brutalized and so on. This is historical fact, not a feminist rant. I am setting the stage for where we are now. Currently, most of society feels self righteously scornful of women for this sex work and a majority feel it is fine to degrade women who have in their eyes, degraded themselves. There will always be, however, women who deviate or want to deviate from what is expected from them, no matter what is expected. It might be an expectation of women based in good sense, rationality, protectiveness, but regardless of this, there will be women who want to choose a different path, not caring about the dissaproval they incur.

In the camp where women disapprove of sex work, the belief is that the only way to respect yourself, be taken seriously, be a role model for younger women is to cover up and behave. The word "lady" is thrown around a lot and for a long time we were all expected to grow up to be ladies, now, it seems, it is a throwaway word, synonomous with any female doing anything at all.

Due to the split between the two groups, the divide and conquer strategy comes into play, because as long as women are preoccupied with in fighting and constant criticism of each other, their focus is not on creating change in their own lives that benefit them and in turn, benefit all of humanity. When women are healthy, safe and nurtured, they raise children in more functional ways, and society improves dramatically. When women suffer, suffering increases manyfold for all other members of society. It sounds obvious but it merits being stated.

How do we define freedom and empowerment? And why can't we be friends?

in response to the Open Letter Sinead Oconner wrote to Miley Cyrus:

 I feel called to respond to the exchange between Sinead Occonner and Miley Cyrus. The ugliness started when Miley interpreted Sinead's open letter as a criticism of her personally and she responded by exposing Sinead's struggles  as if to discredit her. Let us not forget that this began because Miley said she made her "Wrecking Ball" video to emulate what Sinead had done in her legendary "Nothing compares to u" video. That said, Miley admired a work of Sinead's and from there things went downhill. Miley is clearly happy to use all the attention negative or not, to her advantage, while Sinead now feels attacked and threatened legal action against her.

I see this as a very current example of where we are as women, pitted against each other, within or outside of an industry that is making enormous amounts of money off of our pain, confusion and willingness to be stripped bare in every sense of the phrase. Using words like pimp and prostitute, Sinead invoked feelings of disgust with female sexuality, when it is clear that in Miley's mind, she is liberating herself the only way she feels is best for her right now. All the shock value around drugs and her sex appeal only furthers her cause. She is not taking on an establishment that wants to exploit her, she is in the camp of women who believe she can retain power while giving them what they want, so to speak. And that camp is huge. On the other side are women who get incredibly nasty to those who choose that path and these divisions among women are exactly what keep the patriarchy in place.

All that said, I believe both women are in pain in some way, Miley due to her desensitization from drugs and hunger for fame at any cost, and Sinead due to representing a position that most women do not have the courage to represent, especially in the mysoginistic music industry. Due to their respective pain and their respective paths, they can no longer at this time see how, if they worked together and Sinead was able to mentor Miley, there could potentially be some shifting of these negative patterns and energies. I am curious to see what comes of all of this. I will update soon.