On the surface, most definitely, but I believe a real "number" has been done on men, as well. Our culture teaches a very false view of the real possibilities in life.
Yes, it expands the original lie to include all the lies told by all "serpents," that began with that one... I feel it was a deliberate attempt to skew the creation story (and yes, I believe it is a created myth), towards patriarchy, which continues to this day in myriad ways. The first chapter of Genesis relates an interesting condensed version of "creation," and then the second chapter, verse 6, begins, "But there went up a mist from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground..." Then, "The Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept..." and thus, the dream began. That is, IMO, where all the false notions of existence took root.
I know you're a theologian, so I apologize if this sounds like a diatribe. It is my ongoing discovery of the true nature of reality that makes my world go 'round. I hope you're having a good morning at White Flint Farm.
It is wonderful how much can be done and stimulated with so few words. I hadn't caught the "mist" reference. Very nice. So does the goddess deny the myth or does the myth deny the goddess? Or both?
There are two different creation stories at the beginning of Genesis, with different authors and different perspectives. The first is a poem and the second a myth. Those are the genres ancient people used to tell stories of beginnings.
I think the myth denies the goddess, the goddess being the feminine nature, which includes powerful instincts and intuition, something the powers that (appear to) be are mightily afraid of to this day. Ultimately, I believe we are both natures, so men are also highly intuitive, of course. Yes, two different creation stories resulting in two different versions of "reality."
I'm so glad you like the poem and am grateful for this thoughtful discussion.
Creation myths both reflect and shape a culture, for better and for worse. I seldom bother to reflect on the one I was taught, but I do like to hear the stories from other cultures because they put "ours" in new light.
One of the things I find interesting is that so many of our myths, this creation story, the "flood," and the "virgin birth" are repeated over and over prior to the one we are most familiar with and throughout many religious traditions.
Dear Teresa, I read your poem and then the comments and your responses with great interest. I am working on a first draft of a novel that takes place in Bronze-Age Greece and so I am writing not only about sky gods but about Mother Earth/Gaia. The more I learn the more I feel intertwined in the mystery of creation and nature. Peace.
Depending on what you believe, it's just amazing how much trouble has been brought into the world by giving one command. Not to eat the fruit from a particular tree... we still don't listen today, the proof is all around us.
And, somehow, snakes have suffered ever since.
ReplyDelete... as have we all...
DeleteCertainly women more than men.
DeleteOn the surface, most definitely, but I believe a real "number" has been done on men, as well. Our culture teaches a very false view of the real possibilities in life.
DeleteYou are so galdarned wise!
DeleteWe both have earned a bit of wisdom ... life has seen to it and, most important, we have open minds.
DeleteAh, the allure of forbidden fruit.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading this and pondering how simply taking away the apostrophe recasts the images.
Out of the mist/the serpents lie/the goddess denied/the myth of one small apple
Yes, it expands the original lie to include all the lies told by all "serpents," that began with that one... I feel it was a deliberate attempt to skew the creation story (and yes, I believe it is a created myth), towards patriarchy, which continues to this day in myriad ways. The first chapter of Genesis relates an interesting condensed version of "creation," and then the second chapter, verse 6, begins, "But there went up a mist from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground..." Then, "The Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept..." and thus, the dream began. That is, IMO, where all the false notions of existence took root.
DeleteI know you're a theologian, so I apologize if this sounds like a diatribe. It is my ongoing discovery of the true nature of reality that makes my world go 'round. I hope you're having a good morning at White Flint Farm.
It is wonderful how much can be done and stimulated with so few words. I hadn't caught the "mist" reference. Very nice. So does the goddess deny the myth or does the myth deny the goddess? Or both?
DeleteThere are two different creation stories at the beginning of Genesis, with different authors and different perspectives. The first is a poem and the second a myth. Those are the genres ancient people used to tell stories of beginnings.
Love your poem. :)
I think the myth denies the goddess, the goddess being the feminine nature, which includes powerful instincts and intuition, something the powers that (appear to) be are mightily afraid of to this day. Ultimately, I believe we are both natures, so men are also highly intuitive, of course. Yes, two different creation stories resulting in two different versions of "reality."
DeleteI'm so glad you like the poem and am grateful for this thoughtful discussion.
Creation myths both reflect and shape a culture, for better and for worse. I seldom bother to reflect on the one I was taught, but I do like to hear the stories from other cultures because they put "ours" in new light.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I find interesting is that so many of our myths, this creation story, the "flood," and the "virgin birth" are repeated over and over prior to the one we are most familiar with and throughout many religious traditions.
DeleteA few words can contain so much.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I most love about micropoetry: distilling an idea to its essence...
DeleteDear Teresa, I read your poem and then the comments and your responses with great interest. I am working on a first draft of a novel that takes place in Bronze-Age Greece and so I am writing not only about sky gods but about Mother Earth/Gaia. The more I learn the more I feel intertwined in the mystery of creation and nature. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an interesting novel you're working on, Dee. What a wonderful way to feel connected...
DeleteDepending on what you believe, it's just amazing how much trouble has been brought into the world by giving one command. Not to eat the fruit from a particular tree... we still don't listen today, the proof is all around us.
ReplyDeleteI think the real "trouble" began with a patriarchal system that isn't listening to anything but $$$ and power
Delete