There have been many discussions about patriarchy and its overt and covert influences in social, religious, spiritual and political systems; and recently, discussions have focused on the misogyny pervasive in yoga. We’ve also examined how too many women support these influences and give them control over women’s lives, either through suppressing their own voices, actively helping suppress other women or by ostracizing and excluding the women who speak out. I think Nerine has captured perfectly the struggle…

 Yoga workshop

Where were you, my sister,
when I spoke for you
raising my voice for your future
telling Him he needed to add your woes to his list of wrongs to be righted?

Where were you, my rebellious sister,
as his words sent me flying
hit like a bus, spirit rolling down the street,
pride torn from my face like flesh shredded raw from bone?

Where were you, my silent sister,
watching me flail, fearful you might be next,
as your voice lie dormant, choked and dead in your belly,
like your freedoms, hopeless stillbirth in your worshiped womb?

Where are you now, my drowning sister,
submerged deep in the bog of misogyny,
choking on the putrid sludge as hatred slips down your throat?

Swallow it deeper, my sister,
your eyes will widen in the end, afraid and knowing.
One day you will pray I speak for you again,
but too late, my sister.
Too late.

©2021 Nerine