Thank you, Dorie, for bringing my poetry to a broader audience — and for decorating it with such splendid photos, and a most worthy cause! The rabbits are beautiful, and your readers most graceful. No better time could be had by any poet.
Seeing how criticism is the highest form of flattery, please allow me to pose a question:
Would it truly be helpful to see the world of things built by men 'burn to embittered ash'? This world contains many useful things: vaccines to stymie disease; running faucets and operational toilets, to manage inflow and outflow; air conditioning (although I'll be first to admit my sex has an annoying habit of setting it uncomfortably low). I humbly hope that this desire to immolate, contains at least *a bit of* hyperbole. Just enough to permit me to keep my writing desk, my piano and a CamelBak for hiking.
In my view, it is a tremendous benefit for persons of each social group and persuasion to have free access to things built by every other. I would hate to be forbidden all cultural appropriation, and condemned to do math problems without Arabic numerals. Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to win the prestigious Fields Medal for mathematics, would likely concur.
The achievements of every human demographic fit snugly within the realm of human achievement, and ought to belong to all (wo)mankind. Even inventions created prior to the advent of women's rights were not uniformly built 'upon the kneeled backs' of women, as many females actively participated in their creation, and in the sustenance of the lives of their creators. In many cases, females *were* the creators.
Considering the massive disparities in (formal and informal) rights and liberties enjoyed by women between different cultures and time periods, I do not see how it can be productive to collectivize the female sex into a singular interest group, and advocate for the empowerment of this group by calling for it to metaphorically 'tread upon' a future floor wrought of masculinity. A variety of different women would benefit from this scenario, for sure, but several would also suffer. Those whose status and resources result from their alignment with powerful men, or their positions within male institutions, come to mind.
This isn't a point I can comprehensively argue within the space of a short comment, but I do believe that men and women need each other. Not as discrete gendered factions of humanity with unique roles complementing one another (as in the patriarchal worldview), but as (biologically) distinct arrays of unique individuals with overlapping interests and skill-sets, fated to integrate via consensual cooperation (as in the liberal worldview).
With all due respect to my most graceful and formidable hostess, there is a point beyond which gender activism becomes illiberal. This is the point *beyond which* I would prefer that it not be taken.
I'm working hard on a stage musical set in 19th-century Russia, chronicling the plight of one ambitious woman during the "turn" of 1st-wave feminism. Writing in this time period is incredibly satisfying, as none of the voices for social justice from it were anywhere close to going too far (perhaps save those few aching to expropriate and trample 'the bourgeoisie'). This setting permits me to lend my pen to the cause of social justice and rage away at full fury, without accidentally razing any whole civilizations.
I just realized that it is in fact IMITATION (not criticism) which is said to be 'the highest form of flattery.' In my defense, I did study extensively under Professor Malaprop at The University of Life.
Please pardon any residue of nonsense in my semantics.
The power of the feminine is alive and well, I feel it in this piece!! So proud of you both and your will to describe in aesthetic lore, the power of the heart and the soft hands really sat with me… and how the words contrast the immense fortitude — paralleled, yet highly variable in many ways — in relation to the power struggles happening on earth, with the nourishing energy enduring through the plight. The piece really does embody the strength to persevere and not be extinguished. WowZ & BowZ in respect to this!
Thank you so much Miles! This was a really great piece to write! I was so excited to finish it! I also love what you said! “ how the words contrast the immense fortitude!” That is an awesome comment🙌🏼 thank you for reading!
I'll read some of yours as well. Scrolling down any of your posts is like dying to awaken in formatting heaven, with several different voices calling from as many directions. Which way should I turn?
Dorie, your poem wrenched my stomach in parts. And then it gave me hope. We are so strong! I'm convinced women will save the world from our current situation...
Thanks for introducing me to Rafa's work, I feel like I learned so much from this post... And laughed at the Cambodia line hahahaha
Yeah, this collab was definitely a double-dose of resilience! Glad that came through. It feels wonderful to have such ardent supporters. I'll check out your work as well, Aaliya.
A profound and fearless reflection on silenced voices. Rafa Joseph brilliantly turns mythology into a powerful social commentary that resonates deeply.
Thank you so much for the kind words, and close reading.
"Silenced voices" was exactly the theme I had in mind, for this. Sometimes things may seem to go peachy for a while without them, but eventually, they always intensify and break through.
Rafa, your poem feels both mythic and deeply human. I really appreciate how you weave ancient figures with raw emotional truth — it gives the text a haunting, timeless quality. Thank you for sharing something so layered and brave.
Dorie, I really enjoyed your explanations. They helped me better understand the context and Rafa’s poem. Your collaboration is wonderful.
"Raw emotional truth" was essentially the second theme I had in mind for the poem, in planning the dramatic shift to 1st-person at the end.
I think we were speaking of 'haunting' in another thread. It is wonderful to have some good 'haunts' to hang out in here on Substack, frequented by the best poets and dreamers around. Salut!
I’m never totally sure I’m “reading poetry right,” so I won’t pretend I am, so I’ll just share what landed in my body rather than analyze it. I felt grief, anger, and the weight of voices pushed aside for the comfort of others. There was something both mythic and painfully human here.
yeah no. that whisper has been doing damage for centuries and this piece finally names it without flinching. myth, games, history, bodies... all pointing at the same trick: call it order, call it civility, call it peace, just don’t call it silencing. the anger here isn’t decorative, it’s structural. earned fire, steady hands, zero apology. (I'm glad the two of you met~! My precious souls!)
I'm so pleased that you liked this one, Asuka! Silencing is such a difficult subject to tackle, because it happens informally far more often than formally, so there aren't always laws or policies to which to object. A lot of the time it's just knowing that one isn't listened to as others are, and suspecting this discrepancy is undeserved. In my personal view, democracy itself is to blame for this as often as systemic injustice, but if we can't escape democracy we might as well improve it.
The element of the poem you're describing is pretty much the whole reason I write poetry. The medium allows me to begin with a sentiment, and then throw the entire "fire and fury" of history and myth up against it, to see whether it's possible to break. Poetry is the ultimate form of opposition research, and the perfect medium for the polemical heart. Even your poems exploring profoundly positive experiences and feelings are polemical — to the unstated alternative of allowing these things to remain unrecognized. Ours is a war to fight, either way!
Rafa, yes. Silencing is quiet. You feel it more than you can prove it. Poetry is a way to push back anyway. You throw words at what hurts and see what breaks. Even writing about good things is a fight, because it refuses to let them be ignored.
Thank you Asuka! Rafa truly delivered an incredible poem that touched on a subject the truly needs more voices, especially now that so much progress is being erased.
I'm glad for women when I see posts like these. To see the inequality get called out. Reasonably. Justified. Not whatever feminism bs some people ride on to get a rich husband or smtg. This is gold.
Thanks for reading a bit of my work, Rabot. I can be obscure at times, so no pressure to follow all the references. Half the time, I don't even quite know what I mean.
I didn't know it either, until a video game made me curious. But the tale of Izanami & Izanagi is interesting, and contains many similar elements to Greek myths about the dead being trapped in an underworld. Izanami also died while giving birth to a deity who would become the Shinto god of fire.
Thank you, Dorie, for bringing my poetry to a broader audience — and for decorating it with such splendid photos, and a most worthy cause! The rabbits are beautiful, and your readers most graceful. No better time could be had by any poet.
Seeing how criticism is the highest form of flattery, please allow me to pose a question:
Would it truly be helpful to see the world of things built by men 'burn to embittered ash'? This world contains many useful things: vaccines to stymie disease; running faucets and operational toilets, to manage inflow and outflow; air conditioning (although I'll be first to admit my sex has an annoying habit of setting it uncomfortably low). I humbly hope that this desire to immolate, contains at least *a bit of* hyperbole. Just enough to permit me to keep my writing desk, my piano and a CamelBak for hiking.
In my view, it is a tremendous benefit for persons of each social group and persuasion to have free access to things built by every other. I would hate to be forbidden all cultural appropriation, and condemned to do math problems without Arabic numerals. Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to win the prestigious Fields Medal for mathematics, would likely concur.
The achievements of every human demographic fit snugly within the realm of human achievement, and ought to belong to all (wo)mankind. Even inventions created prior to the advent of women's rights were not uniformly built 'upon the kneeled backs' of women, as many females actively participated in their creation, and in the sustenance of the lives of their creators. In many cases, females *were* the creators.
Considering the massive disparities in (formal and informal) rights and liberties enjoyed by women between different cultures and time periods, I do not see how it can be productive to collectivize the female sex into a singular interest group, and advocate for the empowerment of this group by calling for it to metaphorically 'tread upon' a future floor wrought of masculinity. A variety of different women would benefit from this scenario, for sure, but several would also suffer. Those whose status and resources result from their alignment with powerful men, or their positions within male institutions, come to mind.
This isn't a point I can comprehensively argue within the space of a short comment, but I do believe that men and women need each other. Not as discrete gendered factions of humanity with unique roles complementing one another (as in the patriarchal worldview), but as (biologically) distinct arrays of unique individuals with overlapping interests and skill-sets, fated to integrate via consensual cooperation (as in the liberal worldview).
With all due respect to my most graceful and formidable hostess, there is a point beyond which gender activism becomes illiberal. This is the point *beyond which* I would prefer that it not be taken.
I'm working hard on a stage musical set in 19th-century Russia, chronicling the plight of one ambitious woman during the "turn" of 1st-wave feminism. Writing in this time period is incredibly satisfying, as none of the voices for social justice from it were anywhere close to going too far (perhaps save those few aching to expropriate and trample 'the bourgeoisie'). This setting permits me to lend my pen to the cause of social justice and rage away at full fury, without accidentally razing any whole civilizations.
I just realized that it is in fact IMITATION (not criticism) which is said to be 'the highest form of flattery.' In my defense, I did study extensively under Professor Malaprop at The University of Life.
Please pardon any residue of nonsense in my semantics.
The power of the feminine is alive and well, I feel it in this piece!! So proud of you both and your will to describe in aesthetic lore, the power of the heart and the soft hands really sat with me… and how the words contrast the immense fortitude — paralleled, yet highly variable in many ways — in relation to the power struggles happening on earth, with the nourishing energy enduring through the plight. The piece really does embody the strength to persevere and not be extinguished. WowZ & BowZ in respect to this!
Thank you so much Miles! This was a really great piece to write! I was so excited to finish it! I also love what you said! “ how the words contrast the immense fortitude!” That is an awesome comment🙌🏼 thank you for reading!
Thank you!
You make my brain churn well!
🧠 ⚡️ 🔋
I’ll read more of Rafa & hope to get into the many saves I have of yours for more gems! 💎
Hi, Miles! Pleased to meet you.
I'll read some of yours as well. Scrolling down any of your posts is like dying to awaken in formatting heaven, with several different voices calling from as many directions. Which way should I turn?
Miles you made my night🙌🏼 thank you so much.
I intend to make nights!! Haha happy to bring joy 🥹
Dorie, your poem wrenched my stomach in parts. And then it gave me hope. We are so strong! I'm convinced women will save the world from our current situation...
Thanks for introducing me to Rafa's work, I feel like I learned so much from this post... And laughed at the Cambodia line hahahaha
I am so glad you liked it! Thank you for your comment and compliments. Rafa is incredible young man.
The applause from the heavens after her silencing gave me chills 🤍 beautiful
Thank you for reading! We appreciate your time!
A bit brutal perhaps, but seems to always happen in these cases. The show must, after all, go on. So happy you connected with the emotion there!
I love how this piece delves deep into the human condition, exploring shame, sorrow, and resilience.
Brilliant writing
Thank you for reading and your thoughtful comment.
Yeah, this collab was definitely a double-dose of resilience! Glad that came through. It feels wonderful to have such ardent supporters. I'll check out your work as well, Aaliya.
A profound and fearless reflection on silenced voices. Rafa Joseph brilliantly turns mythology into a powerful social commentary that resonates deeply.
Thank you so much for the kind words, and close reading.
"Silenced voices" was exactly the theme I had in mind, for this. Sometimes things may seem to go peachy for a while without them, but eventually, they always intensify and break through.
Rafa, your poem feels both mythic and deeply human. I really appreciate how you weave ancient figures with raw emotional truth — it gives the text a haunting, timeless quality. Thank you for sharing something so layered and brave.
Dorie, I really enjoyed your explanations. They helped me better understand the context and Rafa’s poem. Your collaboration is wonderful.
Thanks so much for coming, Phoeby!
"Raw emotional truth" was essentially the second theme I had in mind for the poem, in planning the dramatic shift to 1st-person at the end.
I think we were speaking of 'haunting' in another thread. It is wonderful to have some good 'haunts' to hang out in here on Substack, frequented by the best poets and dreamers around. Salut!
Thank you Phoeby 🩷
Both poems felt very powerful in very different ways. I really enjoyed this and your reflections on the pieces.
Thank you so much
I’m never totally sure I’m “reading poetry right,” so I won’t pretend I am, so I’ll just share what landed in my body rather than analyze it. I felt grief, anger, and the weight of voices pushed aside for the comfort of others. There was something both mythic and painfully human here.
For an immaterial thing, voices can indeed weigh heavy. Thank you, Andrea, for reading us so well!
Andrea that is the most perfect way to read poetry.
Then I'm a pro? And I didn't even know it! Hehe 😊💗
You are beautiful! 🩷
Aww, and so are you. 🩷
This feels like a labor of love. A flow of emotion and strength!
Thank you so much!
“Be still, they whisper. Be quiet.”
yeah no. that whisper has been doing damage for centuries and this piece finally names it without flinching. myth, games, history, bodies... all pointing at the same trick: call it order, call it civility, call it peace, just don’t call it silencing. the anger here isn’t decorative, it’s structural. earned fire, steady hands, zero apology. (I'm glad the two of you met~! My precious souls!)
I'm so pleased that you liked this one, Asuka! Silencing is such a difficult subject to tackle, because it happens informally far more often than formally, so there aren't always laws or policies to which to object. A lot of the time it's just knowing that one isn't listened to as others are, and suspecting this discrepancy is undeserved. In my personal view, democracy itself is to blame for this as often as systemic injustice, but if we can't escape democracy we might as well improve it.
The element of the poem you're describing is pretty much the whole reason I write poetry. The medium allows me to begin with a sentiment, and then throw the entire "fire and fury" of history and myth up against it, to see whether it's possible to break. Poetry is the ultimate form of opposition research, and the perfect medium for the polemical heart. Even your poems exploring profoundly positive experiences and feelings are polemical — to the unstated alternative of allowing these things to remain unrecognized. Ours is a war to fight, either way!
Rafa, yes. Silencing is quiet. You feel it more than you can prove it. Poetry is a way to push back anyway. You throw words at what hurts and see what breaks. Even writing about good things is a fight, because it refuses to let them be ignored.
Haha. It's so kind of you to affirm that you're following me. Some nights I just desire to be "followed."
Thank you Asuka! Rafa truly delivered an incredible poem that touched on a subject the truly needs more voices, especially now that so much progress is being erased.
I love your courage to write such a powerful topic 🫶
Greetings, Hina!
Neither Dorie nor myself have ever been found wanting for courage. Just occasionally wanting for readership ; )
Thank you Hina 🩷
I'm glad for women when I see posts like these. To see the inequality get called out. Reasonably. Justified. Not whatever feminism bs some people ride on to get a rich husband or smtg. This is gold.
Thank you Reisson!
Thanks for reading a bit of my work, Rabot. I can be obscure at times, so no pressure to follow all the references. Half the time, I don't even quite know what I mean.
I didn't know it either, until a video game made me curious. But the tale of Izanami & Izanagi is interesting, and contains many similar elements to Greek myths about the dead being trapped in an underworld. Izanami also died while giving birth to a deity who would become the Shinto god of fire.
Thank you HVR