31 October 2009



I am. I am: a woman. A mother. A feminist. A lover. A writer. An activist. An immigrant. A Palestinian. A citizen of Israel. Correction: a second-class citizen of Israel. All these and more compose my identity. Negotiating between these fragments of mine is an ever-demanding task, especially in our intricate reality. A reality where all the parts I just listed are marginalized – each one for different reasons. It can be difficult, but it can also be fun! To make up a new tapestry of identity every day. To invent myself by shuffling and rearranging the pieces in a different way each time. And each time to come up with something new!

4 comments:

  1. Thats the beauty of it, dear Khulud. Inventing and reinventing is a process we do everyday.

    This is for you:

    PHENOMENAL WOMAN
    by Maya Angelou

    Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
    I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
    But when I start to tell them
    They think I'm telling lies.
    I say,
    It's in the reach of my arms
    The span of my hips,
    The stride of my step,
    The curl of my lips.
    I'm a woman
    Phenomenally.
    Phenomenal woman,
    That's me.

    I walk into a room
    Just as cool as you please,
    And to a man,
    The fellows stand or
    Fall down on their knees.
    Then they swarm around me,
    A hive of honey bees.
    I say,
    It's the fire in my eyes
    And the flash of my teeth,
    The swing of my waist,
    And the joy in my feet.
    I'm a woman
    Phenomenally.
    Phenomenal woman,
    That's me.

    Men themselves have wondered
    What they see in me.
    They try so much
    But they can't touch
    My inner mystery.
    When I try to show them,
    They say they still can't see.
    I say
    It's in the arch of my back,
    The sun of my smile,
    The ride of my breasts,
    The grace of my style.
    I'm a woman
    Phenomenally.
    Phenomenal woman,
    That's me.

    Now you understand
    Just why my head's not bowed.
    I don't shout or jump about
    Or have to talk real loud.
    When you see me passing
    It ought to make you proud.
    I say,
    It's in the click of my heels,
    The bend of my hair,
    The palm of my hand,
    The need of my care,
    'Cause I'm a woman
    Phenomenally.
    Phenomenal woman,
    That's me.

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  2. the nice thing is, we can be(come) who we want to be...

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  3. yoffi khulud, very nice. i like it. i also like susan deborah poem. right on womin.

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  4. Susan: Maya knows exactly what makes a real woman! Yes, that's defenitely us.
    Shadow: if I didn't have the opportunity to reinvent myself every day, I would be a very miserable woman indeed. Yes, that's the whole beauty in life.
    Talma, I'm glad you're enjoying reading my blog! Kisses to you darling.

    ReplyDelete

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