A confession and Toga muliebris

[chevalierdelame]

A Confession

I crushed a flower in my hand to hide
it from those who would not understand
why I picked it up; to save
it from being trampled or
to touch it, as soft
as a girl’s throat,
as scarlet
as sin.
Why?






Toga muliebris*

If she had walked by day,
then heaven’s kindly sun
would have cast a dark shadow before her but also shown,
the unblemished purity of her face.

But in the sickly, yellow glare,
of sodium lamps,
her face is cadaverous,
and her shadow is darker.

For God’s laws are just
but man’s prejudices are harsh,
and in that light of the night
there are no shadows and places of light.

There is only a monstrous illumination
which throws all darkness into horrible relief.

But she in her toga muliebris
her robe of shame,
dare walk only in
the man-lit night.

*In Ancient Rome women convicted of prostitution were forced to wear a toga muliebris, as the prostitute's badge of shame.

[108 fountains]

Both of these are very nice. I like poetry that has something to say. These two poems have something to say, and they say it well.

[Iain Sparrow]

*In Ancient Rome women convicted of prostitution were forced to wear a toga muliebris, as the prostitute's badge of shame.

I enjoyed both poems, liked the first one a bit more than the second.

However, you're incorrect concerning prostitution and Ancient Rome, leastwise from what I've read.
Not only was it legal, it was licensed, regulated, and taxed. At some point nearing the Christianization of the Roman Empire there were even State owned brothels. Many aristocrats owned brothels as a major source of income. Though being a prostitute was considered shameful, it wasn't any worse than certain other occupations.

[chevalierdelame]

Both of these are very nice. I like poetry that has something to say. These two poems have something to say, and they say it well.

Thanks for the feedback.

[chevalierdelame]

I enjoyed both poems, liked the first one a bit more than the second.

However, you're incorrect concerning prostitution and Ancient Rome, leastwise from what I've read.
Not only was it legal, it was licensed, regulated, and taxed. At some point nearing the Christianization of the Roman Empire there were even State owned brothels. Many aristocrats owned brothels as a major source of income. Though being a prostitute was considered shameful, it wasn't any worse than certain other occupations.

Thanks for reading the poem, and also the information. I also had some idea that prostitution was not exactly illegal in Rome. Take for example, the play 'Mother-in-law by Terence. The prostitute (Bacchis, I think) is considered as a woman fit to associate even with those of the best classes. But apparently, under the Lex Julia, there was some kind of conviction of prostitutes (maybe it was only some classes of them).
Anyway,I'm using the toga muliebris as a symbol for the stigmatization of prostitution in all ages. Thanks again for the feedback.

[Iain Sparrow]

Thanks for reading the poem, and also the information. I also had some idea that prostitution was not exactly illegal in Rome. Take for example, the play 'Mother-in-law by Terence. The prostitute (Bacchis, I think) is considered as a woman fit to associate even with those of the best classes. But apparently, under the Lex Julia, there was some kind of conviction of prostitutes (maybe it was only some classes of them).
Anyway,I'm using the toga muliebris as a symbol for the stigmatization of prostitution in all ages. Thanks again for the feedback.

And I should say the intent of your poem wasn't lost on me.

It's sort of funny though, prostitutes figure prominently in some ancient literature and are usually cast in a good light. Even in modern literature, whores are often portrayed in a more sympathetic way.

[chevalierdelame]

Yes, but they are hardly treated sympathetically in real life. A pity, isn't it?

[Iain Sparrow]

Yes, but they are hardly treated sympathetically in real life. A pity, isn't it?


That's a bit tougher to answer... it was acceptable and legal, licensed/regulated/taxed in some ancient and not so ancient times, and here we are in modern times and it's illegal and kept under wraps throughout most of the world. Yet, if I wanted the services of an "escort" this evening I would have no problem obtaining those services via the internet. If the police arrested us, it's only a relatively minor offense.

Across America we are tentatively experimenting with legalizing marijuana, and thus far the jury is out on what the eventual consequences might be. Prostitution as a legal business, licensed/regulated/taxed... why not?