The
Storyteller prompt "red" this week brought to mind the anger so many felt when a girl lost her life over strands of exposed hair. More have since died as growing clusters of inflamed Iranians protest the cruel absurdity of violent dress-code control.
In Canada, we recently celebrated Thanksgiving Day. It's not easy to be thankful when much of the world appears on the brink of destruction on multiple fronts. But I did find inspiration in
their bravery as well as calm through poetry, art (gave
Penelope her first
red umbrella) and the crimson sunset at
Kwomais Point Park. Deepened from the haze of distant fires fought in B.C., the hues stoked wonder in me at discovering an evening sky as bold and smoldering as the outraged women who in this so-called modern age must risk life and limb, march and yell to demand the most basic of human rights.
The bravery of the young Iranian women I see protesting against their brutal government is awe inspiring. They are all in.
ReplyDeleteWe've had some beautiful sunsets here inspiring seriously mixed emotions since they are due to an uncontained forest fire in the mountains east of us (not endangering us except for air quality on some days). Climate change IS ...(exactly as you remind us in each of your posts.) The Iranian women protesting this absurd cruelty are so brave!
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot to celebrate, like your lovely red photo!
ReplyDeleteThat's a glorious sunset!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunset capture...
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Maria, it is hard to be thankful when there are so many problems facing our world. We must do what we can, even if it is writing a post to keep the issue in front of us.
ReplyDeleteWhether it is the abortion ban or clothing restrictions, patriarchy has its tentacles everywhere. More power to women who keep resisting it.
ReplyDeleteIndeed the light is worth holding on to. Luv your red poem, luv that you used rhymes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my blig today.
Much❤love
I am ever more convinced, Maria, that we are composing the first notes of the Requiem for Humans on Planet Earth.
ReplyDeleteA big, loud, angry 'Yes!' to all you say!
ReplyDeleteI'm proud to have Red in my name. And it's like no other color, one that can signify romance or rage. It's good fenshui.
ReplyDeleteI like the "one strand of hair" idea. The way I'm losing mine I'll soon be
ReplyDelete"Single Strand". Couple of songs, "Single again" and "Those were the days".
..
Red has always been my favorite color and all colors which come from red, like orange, or purple. My husband also loved red, so often we wore the same
ReplyDeleteT-shirts.
Wonderful creative post and photos ~ lovely poetry, great photos ~ human and animal rights to be who they are ~ should be free around the world ~ And if our planet is not taken care of there will be nothing to be concerned about ~ Yikes ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Beautiful red sky. And, yes, we should all be seeing red.
ReplyDeleteThere are those who would like to see us very much under the thumb. I admire greatly the people who are very brave and say enough is enough, especially as their own lives are at stake. Beautiful images and poignant words.
ReplyDeleteHello, Maria. Your poetry on Red is so powerful. In my country, red color is believed to ward off evil spirit. Nice perception of the sunset image as symbolizing “smoldering” of women's rage getting more powerful.
ReplyDeleteYoko
It doesn't seem to be a problem in Iran, but some people of Western European descent have thin, wispy hair, and straying is what it does. Would they have to shave their heads clean to survive in Iran?
ReplyDeletePowerful poetry, beautifully composed ... a gift for your readers, which includes me.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what people are so scared of that they would let a strand of hair unhinge them.
ReplyDeleteIt is important, no, essential to hold tight to hope in the midst of this chaos — if for no other reason than our own sanity. Evocative write Penelope. 🙂✌🏼❤️
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and meaningful write, Penelope. Anger is red.
ReplyDelete