They were given many names, like ‘witch,’ or ‘bitch,’ or ‘whore.’ I dress in their stories, patterned and purple as night, like the bruises they wore: these troublesome women who always wanted more. Why wouldn’t they just accept their position as subordinate, as Adam’s rib, as The Lord commanded it? So the men would ask. And let’s not fail to mention their hysteria: never the same person for more than a few days, curse of the wandering womb. They tried us and burned us as witches, confined us within asylums. Such actions could only have meant one thing: they were afraid of us. And so they should have been, and should be still. Watch out patriarchs: we’ve taken back the night. Now we’re coming for you.
Written for dVerse
Tonight, Lisa hosts Prosery, and has given us a line from “When We Sing of Might” by the poet Kimberly Blaeser to include within our short prose pieces:
I dress in their stories patterned and purple
as night.
This came out as a haibun, but I tweaked it a bit, so I hope it meets the Prosery requirements!
!!!!!!!BRAVO!!!!!!! Ingrid. My scalp started tingling at the image and kept right on until your thunderous conclusion. Most excellent, Most Wonderful Woman Who Runs with the Wolves <3
Thank you, Lisa: or perhaps you should thank my wandering womb which has been giving me no end of trouble recently! ❤️
You and your wandering womb are appreciated <3
I don’t see the image. What is it?
I like your threats. It’s about time.
It’s a woman conjuring some black magic! Thanks Jane.
Ah, that would fit!
YES!!!! Well-written, and I appreciate this so much!
Thanks Merril!
You’re welcome!
Oh this is good…….the title grabbed me and didnt let go. Not that long ago a woman could be institutionalized if she was “difficult” or “hysterical”. Unhappiness with oppression was seen as crazy, and not that long ago either. So well written.
Lest we forget, Sherry, thank you!
A ringing diatribe against patriarchy, Ingrid.
Pax,
Dora
Thank you Dora!
Wow. A gutsy story. Enjoyed.
Happy you dropped by to read mine
Much💜love
Thanks Gillena, glad you enjoyed!
As a male, I feel a bit maligned, but as a lover my lips form Hurrah for all those spunky and gifted women, which includes over 50% of our d’Verse community.
You shouldn’t feel maligned, Glenn: this is aimed at men who treat women with abuse and contempt. I am sure you are not one of those!
told straight from the hip, well done Ingrid!
patriarchy look out, we with “curse of the wandering womb.” will visit when least expected 🙂
🙂 thanks Kate!
WOW!!!! POWERFUL! A wonderful response to the prompt!
Thank you Lillian!
Oh my. You nailed it, Ingrid. You made every word count. A++++…. Great take and well done.
Thanks so much: making every word count is what counts!
I hope you are right Ingrid. The stories they have imposed on us are destroying the world. (K)
You’re absolutely right, Kerfe: it’s not just about human rights anymore.
Not at all.
Beautiful rythm to this prose, and I really like the topic, but even more the way you dealt with it, and even more so as I have 3 daughters who deserve better than previous generations, decades and times. Your strongest word was “The”…about The men, and I totally agree with you. The men still exist, and other men, too, want it all gone. The other powerful word was that Lord. And there my anger and bitterness remains about what was done in his name. All those young woman, throughout the centuries, forced to becomes nuns and abused by the church…your piece got me going I’m afraid…
I fear for your daughters’ generation. All I see in the shops for young girls are anatomically disproportioned dolls, and then there are the pressures from things like Instagram when they get older. So much pressure to just be beautiful and useless!
I loved your point of view, your take on the line. It was amazing.
Thank you so much Christopher!
Wonderful Ingrid and so on point. Women have always have been regarded as property to this day. 😢
Sadly, yes. Thanks Christine 😊
Great stuff. 🙂
Thanks Suzanne 💪
Love the vibe here, there is reckoning coming! ❣❣
I’d say 😉 thanks Tricia!
FYI: I just set up my webnovel late tonight and tweeted the link (may not work well on laptops) I mentioned the Anthropocene Hymnal in my bio so hopefully it gets a few more eyes! 😍 I’ll have to post it on my blog tomorrow, getting to bed now!
Oh thank you so much, Tricia ❤️
A+!!!!!
Thanks Judy!
A strong and frightening story Ingrid. Amazing what people used to and still do think!
Yes, I would like to say these attitudes are history, but we all know that’s not true. Thank you Dwight!
Sadly, you are right!
Oh, the power of your words! Brava, Ingrid! ❤️
Thank you Punam! ❤️
You are welcome. 😊
you effectively created that buildup. can feel the disgust and spite especially this line – accept their position as subordinate, as Adam’s rib . and i am here for the haunting end!
Glad you’re with me on this, Rosema 🙏
Powerful. I’m not a patriarch, honestly!
I know: neither you nor Dauphy need worry 🤣
😂 Phew!
Wonderful write, Ingrid. Love the seamless inclusion of the quoted line. An empowering call to action 🙂
Thank you Sunra! 🌞
A stern, gavel-banging indictment, Ingrid.
Thanks Misky!
I love witch movies, they are so powerful. Your prosery I so bold..bravo
Thank you!
That was then. It’s disturbing when you think that we are still fighting for equal rights.
You are great Ingrid. Love to you hon.
Yes, it is certainly disturbing. Thank you Gabriela ❤️
My pleasure hon. Enjoy the rest of your day.
You too 🥰
🌹🥰
First, I agree wholeheartedly with the essence of your piece her Ingrid. I think powerful, unified women “might” be able to right this tipping ship. The problem is, I see so many fractured elements of society “coming for” the rest of society, that its a just becoming a pushing and shoving match — and that will NEVER get things headed in one, UNIFIED direction. And that is the crux of the matter right now, we need to figure out how to push together, in a positive direction out of this shit-show, or society is going to topple in chaos — I believe that 100%. I also don’t see anyone, on any horizon, capable of manifesting that type of leadership role. We are collapsing as a world society, with much clatter and clutter, CHAOS IS WINNING — ANARCHY! From this point, on into the future, it’s a ride down on the rubble, to the ground. My best advice, don’t get crushed, begin to develop great patience, learn well primary survival skills, and hone brilliant 20/20 “social vision”, so you can finally spot when the “rise from the ruin” actually begins — knowing their there are going to be more than one false start in the next period to come — and that period will likely last more than a generation. So keep your head on — and down… until then. I feel this in my bones,
You’re right that we are in a period of massive upheaval and transformation. I honestly don’t know if we, as a species, can survive it.
😀 Personally, I live in sheer terror of you, Ingrid! Please don’t pull out your pen at me!
<3
David
It’s ok, you’re a friend: you are safe, I promise 😉
Ingrid, taking back the night is what it’s about, should forever have been about. Love what you wrote!!!
Such powerful imagery Ingrid and way too close to home still~! 💖 Great write. Sending love to you!💖
Too close, you’re right. I am not a feminist because I want to be but because I have to be, until we get true equality ❤️
Well put!!!! 💖
We ALL have to be! 🙏