male and female

from where emerged that vision
of the superiority of the male?
on what ground did he claim the privilege
of dominating the whole of creation?
who granted him the right?
who gave it a name?
who knows the reason why?

from where arose that vision
of the inferiority of the female?
on what did she ground her duty
to be subservient to the man?
who imposed this obligation on her?
who gave it a name?
who knows the reason why?

for from when I was young I learnt that vision
that people are marked to be like God
that it was his breath that aroused their love
through which they received a share in privilege and duty
to care for creation; to preserve life
is this not the task God imposed?
was it not God who gave us the ground
for us to act together
is that the reason why?

© Tina van Lieshout
translation John Wijngaards
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