Comment from Glasstruth

Excellent

Like the idea of the apple as being a symbol of free will. Men forget that their mothers were girls just like the ones they castrate. Sadly, some are stuck in the middle ages with their thinking. Guess it's all about power. Short, but right to the point. Awesome! Les

 Comment Written 18-May-2014

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reply by the author on 28-May-2014

Thanks Les, for considering this poem awesome and right to the point. I am honored, God bless.

Comment from yolieday

Exceptional

Powerful. Important. Provocative. Necessary. This is such a terrible act and leads to a lifetime of suffering. I love your word usage. Fruit has some much meaning for us as women. I don't know if that was your intent but I did read into that. The apple with Eve is just one example. I loved the way the poem flowed. Thank you for sharing and for discussing such an important issue.

 Comment Written 17-May-2014

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reply by the author on 28-May-2014

My dear yolieday, I do appreciate a lot the six stars. Thanks for considering this poem, provocative and necessary. I am deeply humbled. God bless.

Comment from Pullmanspb

Excellent

If those rhymes are incidental, I am very impressed. Your notes brings up a dilemma for me, one I can't resolve: some times I wish the author wouldn't spoon feed us, but let us struggle. However, your poem was very powerful and evocative, even without your comments.

Steven

 Comment Written 17-May-2014

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reply by the author on 28-May-2014

Thanks a lot Steven for considering this poem very powerful and evocative. I am deeply honored. God bless.

Comment from w.j.debi

Excellent

It is heartbreaking to know this is going on and the girls have no say in it at all. This is a poignant verse that pleads for intervention, but what to do to help. Educating the men who are steeped in the ritual and the women so they can stand up for themselves. It may take a while, but it seems necessary.

 Comment Written 17-May-2014

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reply by the author on 28-May-2014

Thanks a lot w.j.debi for appreciating my poem. United nations had initiated the banning of this ritual and various groups have championed the cause to ban female genital mutilation.

Comment from l.raven

Excellent

How so sad this is...just makes you sick to your stomach to think about it...wrong no matter what the reason...so few words to say so much...very well written...Luff Linda xxoo

 Comment Written 17-May-2014

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reply by the author on 28-May-2014

Thanks a lot Luff Linda xxoo for considering this poem very well written. i am deeply honored. God bless.

reply by l.raven on 28-May-2014

you are always so welcome...God Bless too!!!..xxoo

Comment from JB Lynn

Excellent

Another excellent poem, my friend. It's still astonishing to me how many people remain ignorant that these dark practices still exist in areas of our world. I think the apple works very well as a metaphor for freedom. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 17-May-2014

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reply by the author on 28-May-2014

Thanks my friend JB for considering this work, an excellent poem. Thanks you for thinking that apple works very well as a metaphor for freedom. God bless.

Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin

Excellent

Hi,

We don't think about rights of passage in other cultures all that much until it is brought to one's attention. Hard to believe how set in stone some things are after centuries.

Interesting piece of knowledge.

I can't remember the name of the show I think on Discovery a few years back where two guys went into remote places in the world and lived among different native tribes and adapted to their traditions. Some of the things they had to do to be accepted as member were most interesting and too us, odd, painful, yet time stood still for these cultures.

Interesting read.

Cheers
Keep Smilin'... Jax

 Comment Written 17-May-2014

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reply by the author on 28-May-2014

Thanks Jax for considering this an interesting read, I appreciate it a lot. God bless.

Comment from Dorothy Farrell

Excellent

You have written a very good free verse on a very strange custom. These young women who have to go through this ritual have no choice. It seems barbaric and I have never understood how such rituals as this come about, serving no obvious purpose. A brave write. Regards Dorothy

 Comment Written 17-May-2014

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reply by the author on 28-May-2014

Thanks a lot Dorothy for considering this a brave write. I am humbled. God bless.

Comment from Ridley Williams

Excellent

Hello nassus,
Well, this is a sobering subject. Most crimes against humanity are, however. Do you suppose there is any way to help these poor women? Tribal practices run deep, as does ignorance. It makes one shake their head, in disgust, at the atrocities, we so called humans, subject to each other. Good job shining the light on this horrible practice...best wishes, Bill

 Comment Written 17-May-2014

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reply by the author on 28-May-2014

Thanks a lot Bill for resonating with the message of the poem. United Nations had initiated the banning of this ritual and various groups have championed the cause of the women to have freedom from the practice of female genital mutilation.

Comment from adewpearl

Excellent

strong social commentary about this tragic issue
excellent use of enjambment to keep thoughts flowing from line to line
I like the dust/thrust/disgust rhyming passage
good alliteration in don't deny
Brooke

 Comment Written 17-May-2014

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reply by the author on 17-May-2014

Thanks a lot Brooke for resonating with the message of the poem and for pointing out what you appreciated in this poem. I am humbled, God bless.