tootsie roll: part 2

only we two know why there is a "coincidental" mirroring between
his paintings and my words.

only he and i know why his art stands side-by-side with my poetry
because the poems that are not about him are about his art,
the paintings that are not about my poems are about his love for me
and my love for him.

tootsie roll

secrets protect our friends,
sometimes. and yes,
sometimes secrets themselves
should have no friends
or hearts for shelter.

williamstown to england

only the two of us knew why there was a secret in the bond,
only we two know why i wrote a poem entitled 'my black dandelion',
only he and i know why his art stands side-by-side with my poetry.
for years, four years no one knew.
williamstown to england, my greatest love. from
williamstown to england - a few people know now.

I fell today, into something like love. Not precipitously and headlong, but more subtly, in a manner akin to the drift of a floating feather till what I think is my heart landed gently somewhere by her feet, and mine. I entertained the thought of her and I for while and then, reluctantly, I moved on.

So, I have been debating this issue for years – my mind has time to ruminate on it. Finally can I strongly say I don’t believe in dowry. I said the same thing last year and my grandmother was appalled. Naturally.

In Setswana culture as probably is other cultures that esteem dowry or bride-price, much stigma is attached to not giving dowry, or giving insufficient dowry. A woman will be stoned with gossip for leaving her mother’s house for free, a man will be castrated with names for not being manly enough to pay, to provide.

Although I understand how dowry may be seen as a gesture binding two families rather than a transaction, I don’t believe it should be a sine qua non factor. We should be able to marry without it. What do girls think, and what do guys in societies where dowry is received by the man think?

Please look at this video to see the plight of women around the world because they give insufficient dowry to men. I am moved: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e85mnwHuaoM


I look forward to hearing your views, everyone.