misaligned | Int’l Women’s Day
by Elouise
Claude Monet, Poppy Fields near Argenteuil
I posted this three years ago. Sadly, things haven’t changed for the better. If anything, Covid-19 and four years of growing neglect, abuse, and animosity toward women have made things worse. Not just in the USA, but worldwide. This is for women everywhere, and the men who support and care about them:
in the waiting room
perfectly aligned paintings
greet the misaligned
I’m back at the physical therapy center, sitting in the waiting room. Directly across from me, above a row of chairs, hang two huge paintings. Doubtless chosen for their ability to calm and reassure patients bearing all kinds of physical misalignments. Most patients are women.
The paintings are meticulously hung and feature lovely outdoor scenes. Expansive, bucolic and natural without being overly sentimental. Unobtrusive gentle colors and bright sunshiny days.
Nothing to rattle our nerves or make us wonder about untold stories or what might happen next. No storms brewing in the background. No signs of aging structures or broken-down bridges. All is serene.
The haiku, written several weeks ago, came to mind this morning as I scrolled through photos celebrating International Women’s Day. If even a few of these photos were hung on walls in our public spaces, what would happen? Here are three that caught my eye.
Bhubaneswar, India – Sand Sculpture by Manas Sahoo
Thane, India – Fashion Show by Acid Attack Survivors
Dhaka, Bangladesh – March in support of Int’l Women’s Day
Never underestimate the power of women. Especially when we’re in one accord on just one thing we need. Equal status as human beings.
This means equal status in a society that honors each woman and girl as a full human being, regardless of color, country of origin, economic or social class, religion, or marital status. Not a fraction of a human being, but 100 percent human. Welcomed into every room in the house without having to wear masks, special clothes, smiles or makeup on our faces, or anything that signals we are less valued than men or boys.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 8 March 2018, reposted 8 March 2021
Monet painting found at quadrosetelas.com.br
International Women’s Day photos found at Getty Images
Telling the Truth 
Happy International Women’s Day, Elouise. This is a heart-touching post and haiku. Thank you for sharing it and for being a women who makes a positive difference in the world.
I am grateful for all the amazing women in the world, past present and future.
I’ve spend my adult life trying to help women and children who are/were abused, etc…through jobs I’ve had, through volunteer work, and through women I’ve met and became friends with.
There is still MUCH work to be done around the world and in our own neighborhoods.
(((HUGS)))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you kindly, Carolyn. When I read about or see women doing amazing things in spite of it all, I’m humbled. I always wonder what I would do if I were in their circumstances, though my own background (which looked like a happy family picture) wasn’t so great, either. Right now the news each day about women everywhere is discouraging and disheartening. One step forward, four steps back….I pray we’ll come to our senses. And yes, in the meantime there’s more than enough to keep us all busy and on our toes. Hugs back to you! And prayers for stamina and unexpected joy during these troubled times. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person