SwedenSara Week 60: I Am That Woman

SwedenSara
Friday


Picture 1

Picture 2


SwedenSara’s Choice: both


Title: I am that woman
A dark-haired woman in a red gown, velvet brocade with black lace details and black satin lining. Passionate and lusty, aggressive and powerful. Sophisticated and elegant, mysterious and evil. Sexuality, with a lining of sadness. Little Red Riding Hood, after she kicked the wolf’s ass and beat him into submission. Ever heard that version of the fairytale? No? Just make sure you tell your daughters that they don’t need a strong, manly woodcutter to save them. They can do that on their own.

A fair maiden in a white cotton dress, clean hands with shiny fingernails guarding a fragile glass jar, the bright light of future generations held close to her womb. Innocent and peaceful, simple and pure. Clinical and sterile, wintry and cold. Reverence, with a lining of death. The bride walking towards the altar, dressed to meet the love of her life, the strength of twosomeness, the safety of following the norms. The bride walking towards the altar, dressed to meet the bane of her youth, the death of her independence, the suppression of her sexuality. Ever heard of that version of marriage? No? Just make sure to tell your daughters that they don’t need a husband to be happy. They can do that on their own.

I am both these women, and many more. Show me the colors of the rainbow, and I find myself in every one of them. Dress me in a rainbow flag, and see the complex picture of a real woman.