'My Name Is Judith' by Judy Grahn

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Work of a Common Woman1977My name is Judith, meaning
She Who Is Praised
I do not want to be called praised
I want to be called The Power of Love.if Love means protect then whenever I do not
defend you
I cannot call my name Love.
if Love means rebirth then when I see us
dead on our feet
I cannot call my name Love.
if Love means provide & I cannot
provide for you
why would you call my name Love?do not mistake my breasts
for mounds of potatoes
or my belly for a great roast duck.
do not take my lips for a streak of luck
nor my neck for an appletree,
do not believe my eyes are a warm swarm of bees;
do not get Love mixed up with me.Don't misunderstand my hands
for a church with a steeple,
open the fingers & out come the people;
nor take my feet to be acres of solid brown earth,
or anything else of infinite worth
to you, my brawny turtledove;
do not get me mixed up with Love.not until we have ground we call our own
to stand on
& weapons of our own in hand
& some kind of friends around us
will anyone ever call our name Love,
& then when we do we will all call ourselves
grand, muscley names:
the Protection of Love,
the Provision of Love & the
Power of Love.
until then, my sweethearts,
let us speak simply of
romance, which is so much
easier and so much less
than any of us deserve.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, My Name Is Judith: A Celebration of Feminine Spirituality

My Name Is Judith is a poetry collection written by the American feminist and activist Judy Grahn. First published in 1978, this collection contains some of Grahn's most powerful and provocative poems that speak to the experiences and struggles of women in a patriarchal society. The collection is named after the title poem, My Name Is Judith, which is one of the most well-known and acclaimed poems in feminist literature.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes and motifs in My Name Is Judith, and analyze how Grahn's poetry expresses a feminist spirituality that both celebrates and critiques the feminine identity. Through an examination of specific poems, I will argue that Grahn's poetry is not only a political statement, but also a spiritual quest that seeks to reclaim the sacredness of the feminine.

The Feminine as a Source of Power and Wisdom

One of the most distinctive features of Grahn's poetry is the way she celebrates the feminine as a source of power and wisdom that has been suppressed and devalued in a male-dominated society. In poems like "A Woman Is Talking to Death," "A Woman Is Not a Prey," and "A History of Lesbianism," Grahn portrays women as strong and resilient beings who have the power to resist oppression and create their own destiny.

For example, in "A Woman Is Talking to Death," the speaker challenges Death's attempt to claim her by asserting her own identity and agency:

"I'm a woman," I say, "and I'm going to live as who I am, not as what you say I should be."

This defiance of Death, which represents the patriarchal society that seeks to control women, is a testament to the strength and resilience of the feminine spirit.

Moreover, Grahn's poetry also celebrates the feminine as a source of wisdom and creativity that has been overlooked by a society that values rationality and logic over intuition and emotion. In "The Common Woman," for instance, the speaker celebrates the wisdom of ordinary women who have "lived through wars and famine and great migrations, / and great injustices and great hungers." These women, who are often dismissed as uneducated and unsophisticated, possess a deep understanding of life and the world that comes from their lived experiences.

Through her poetry, Grahn seeks to reclaim the power and wisdom of the feminine, and to challenge the patriarchal society that has denied women their full humanity.

The Sacredness of the Feminine

Another important theme in My Name Is Judith is the sacredness of the feminine, which Grahn locates both in the natural world and in the human body. In many of her poems, Grahn celebrates the beauty and power of nature, and sees it as a reflection of the divine feminine.

For example, in "A History of Lesbianism," the speaker describes the beauty of the natural world, which is a manifestation of the feminine:

The earth is a woman; the sun is a man. The mountains are women; the rivers are men. The sky is a woman; the earth is a man.

This portrayal of nature as feminine is not only a celebration of the beauty and power of the natural world, but also a critique of the patriarchal society that has seen nature as a resource to be exploited and dominated.

Moreover, Grahn also celebrates the sacredness of the human body, which has been devalued and objectified by a patriarchal society. In "She Who," for instance, the speaker celebrates the beauty and power of the female body:

She who walks in beauty and power bearing children, making love, making art

Here, the speaker sees the female body as a site of creativity and fertility, and celebrates it as a sacred vessel of life.

Overall, Grahn's poetry celebrates the sacredness of the feminine, and seeks to reclaim the natural and human world as holy and divine.

Critiquing Patriarchal Society

While Grahn celebrates the feminine as a source of power and wisdom, she also critiques the patriarchal society that has oppressed and devalued women. In many of her poems, Grahn exposes the violence and injustice of patriarchal power, and challenges the dominant narratives that have silenced women's voices.

For example, in "A Woman Is Not a Prey," the speaker exposes the violence and objectification that women face in a patriarchal society:

"I am not a deer, a bird, or a fish," I say to the hunter, the fisherman, the fowler.

This critique of patriarchal power is a powerful statement of resistance, and challenges the notion that women are passive and submissive beings.

Moreover, Grahn also challenges the dominant narratives that have silenced women's voices and experiences. In "The Psychoanalysis of Edward the Dyke," for instance, Grahn exposes the biases and assumptions of the psychoanalytic discourse that has pathologized lesbianism:

"But you can't be a woman," he says. "You don't have a penis."

This critique of the psychoanalytic discourse is a powerful statement of resistance, and challenges the dominant narratives that have silenced and marginalized lesbian voices.

Through her poetry, Grahn critiques the patriarchal society that has oppressed and silenced women, and seeks to create a new narrative that celebrates the power and wisdom of the feminine.

Conclusion

In conclusion, My Name Is Judith is a powerful and provocative poetry collection that celebrates the power and wisdom of the feminine, and critiques the patriarchal society that has oppressed and devalued women. Through her poetry, Grahn seeks to reclaim the sacredness of the natural and human world, and challenge the dominant narratives that have silenced and marginalized women's voices. My Name Is Judith is not only a political statement, but also a spiritual quest that seeks to create a new narrative of feminine spirituality that celebrates the beauty and power of the feminine.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry My Name Is Judith: A Celebration of Feminine Power and Identity

Judy Grahn's Poetry My Name Is Judith is a powerful and evocative poem that celebrates the strength and resilience of women throughout history. With its vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and lyrical language, this poem captures the essence of feminine power and identity, and invites readers to embrace their own unique selves.

At its core, Poetry My Name Is Judith is a tribute to the biblical figure of Judith, a brave and resourceful woman who saved her people from the invading Assyrians by seducing and beheading their general, Holofernes. In Grahn's poem, Judith becomes a symbol of feminine strength and courage, a reminder that women have always played a vital role in shaping history and shaping the world.

The poem begins with a powerful declaration of identity: "My name is Judith and I am a woman." This simple statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the speaker's pride in her gender and her determination to assert her own identity. Throughout the poem, Grahn uses vivid imagery to evoke the power and beauty of the natural world, drawing parallels between the strength of women and the strength of the earth itself.

For example, in the second stanza, Grahn writes:

"I am the earth that opens to receive the seed and the rain that falls to nourish it."

Here, the speaker identifies herself with the earth, emphasizing her role as a nurturer and caretaker. By comparing herself to the natural world, she suggests that women are an integral part of the cycle of life and growth, and that their contributions are essential to the well-being of the planet.

As the poem progresses, Grahn introduces more complex imagery and symbolism, drawing on a variety of cultural and historical references to explore the multifaceted nature of feminine power. For example, in the third stanza, she writes:

"I am the serpent that coils around the tree of knowledge and the apple that hangs ripe and red and tempting."

Here, the speaker identifies herself with the serpent and the apple from the biblical story of Adam and Eve, suggesting that women have always been associated with temptation and forbidden knowledge. However, rather than portraying this as a negative trait, Grahn celebrates the power of women to challenge authority and seek out new experiences.

Throughout the poem, Grahn also explores the theme of transformation, suggesting that women have the power to reinvent themselves and create new identities. For example, in the fourth stanza, she writes:

"I am the butterfly that emerges from the chrysalis and the phoenix that rises from the ashes."

Here, the speaker identifies herself with two powerful symbols of transformation, emphasizing the idea that women have the power to overcome adversity and emerge stronger and more beautiful than ever before.

Overall, Poetry My Name Is Judith is a powerful and inspiring poem that celebrates the strength and resilience of women throughout history. With its rich imagery, evocative language, and celebration of feminine power and identity, this poem is a testament to the enduring spirit of women everywhere. Whether read as a tribute to Judith, a celebration of the natural world, or a call to embrace one's own unique identity, this poem is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

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