Tuesday, January 8, 2013

When I have a son

  And when my little son walks in while I feed my infant,
  I wouldn't shoo him away and draw up my clothes;
  but hold him by my side and give him a kiss.
  I'd tell him, 'Son, you drank my milk like this when you
  were much younger.
  These are breasts that fed you
  and I am the woman who gave birth to you.
  Stare at your sister's eyes and see the joy
  in the suckling that fills that tiny little body
  that you see everyday
  and learn it's only flesh that is different from
  your own.'
  I know,
  he'd ask me the six questions of his beginning
   language.
  I'd answer while my daughters' eyes droop
  and his vision grows bigger...
  and when he finally asks me 'Why' I'd say :
  'So that when you're older and in a circle with
   some other boys like you into adolescence;
   When they show you pictures of women clad in an
   air of nudity visible through poring eyes
   and sneer at the woman who is open to her ideas
   and her
   sexuality,
   you'll know to say:
   'I've seen those. My mother has them too.
    And so do all of yours.'

~~ Hemu


                                           Image Source : http://www.chroniclesofanursingmom.com
               

22 comments:

  1. Nice one. Funny how some fundamental things are forgotten.

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  2. Thanks Prashanth and Clementji. :)

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  3. Whoa. That could act as an eye opener to thousands of people, if perceived in the right manner.

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  4. Thanks GK.
    As for the perception, someone commented on this link shared by one of my friends saying it was disgusting. I was expecting that too. It's not the anatomy that is in light as some of them may perceive it to be but solely that anatomy-male and female's only difference is what lies outside.. the flesh! We're the same on the inside.

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  5. It's lovely but I wonder whether little ones will grasp all these things. I get the drift behind the whole episode, though. I always thought (gauging from my family) that little ones weren't treated with shyness and all. Perhaps it's different.

    Joy always,
    Susan

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  6. Thank you Susan. I guess that's the job of the upcoming generation to ensure. It's exactly that same indifference to bodily differences that one has in childhood that needs to be sowed in their minds as they grow up. Body is just the superficial layer isn't it?
    So, when the kid grows up and looks at someone from the opposite gender, they have more chances of extending respect, love and cordial understanding instead of lust, curiosity and an impulse to showcase power.

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  7. Hi Hema,

    This is my first visit to your blog; a beautiful poem by you; this should be made mandatory reading for every boy and man. Excellent choice of words and a beautiful rhythmic symmetry in the way your ideas have been expressed.

    Many thanks for writing and sharing this!

    Cheers,
    Mahesh

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  8. Hey Mahesh, great to hear from you. Thanks a ton for letting me know what you think of this.
    But this isn't your first visit. You've been here before. I had replied to one of your comments on another post last month I think. You need that memory of yours checked! :)
    Cheers!

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  9. ahhh! How sweet!!! its a cute poem with a strong message!! Good one Hema!!

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  10. Hems...this is a must read for everyone and i will make sure all my friends read it !!

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  11. @Kally- Thanks Kalyan. :)
    @Vimal- thanks man, sure do pass it on. Some will find it disgusting too.

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  12. Wow!! Superbly written with an even better message :) Cheers!!

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  13. Its brilliant... you've narrated beautifully with a strong message.. keep it up Hema :)

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  14. Hey Anand,
    Look who's back. Thank you :)

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  15. Its so beautiful Hema! So so beautiful!!!!!!! :)

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  16. A poem beyond imagination wonderfully writ :) Beauty at its peak :) Lovely poem :) :) A true eye-opener :)

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  17. Thank you Kris. Please do drop in and let me know your views and ideas shared here.
    Cheers!

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  18. My god hema..... no words to express your sincere feelings..... I'm totally touched .. Iknow i'm posting this late,but i had to ...... Hats of ...

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