Mom, that night,
candlelight shone bright,
but it was not enough to brighten her sight.
Like moths drawn to the flame,
giving submission to a dame,
surrendering to the same aim.
Mom, the girl clung to the bushy.
And, from the deep valley,
She asked gently,
Does a queen need to show her skin to win the king?
Does a queen need to bow down to get all her work done?
Mom, it all feels confusing;
the flame may give her nothing,
but just an end to something.
Mon 17th Feb 2025 15:16
Dear Yanma,
For me, your "The Flame" beautifully explores themes of self-worth, submission, and identity with poignant imagery. The candlelight and flame metaphors create a vivid contrast between external allure and internal conflict. I appreciate the depth in the questioning voice, as it subtly reflects on the complexities women face in trying to balance strength and vulnerability.
Regards,
Rolph
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Yanma Hidayah
Tue 18th Feb 2025 06:03
Thank you for your kind words, @RolphDavid. Your thoughtful interpretation means a lot to me. A little about the backstory of the poem: the main concern lies in the line, "Does a queen need to show her skin to win the king?" That was the first line that came to my mind. I came up with it shortly after I saw Kanye West and his wife on the red carpet at the 2025 Grammys. However, that doesn't mean I consider Kanye to be a king. For me, as a woman, witnessing that makes me feel his wife is being demeaned. This statement may be controversial, but I think most would agree that something valuable should be protected. An analogy I can provide is that if we have money, we would certainly keep it safe rather than display it publicly. This doesn't mean women shouldn't appear in public, but it pertains to how they dress. Their bodies are valuable, and it is something that needs to be treasured and kept safe. Even though there is freedom regarding how women dress, I believe there should still be boundaries applied. I think, for women, there is a sense of self-worth that they need to uphold. However, when I see her, I feel that a woman's value is merely an accessory to a man. And that truly breaks my heart. Through that poem, I aim to present a perspective from a girl who is asking her mother what a queen should be. I personally believe that a mother's position holds the title of queen, as she has successfully won the heart of her king, who is her husband.
Regards,
Yanmah