The grass is also like me it has to unfurl underfoot to fulfil itself but what does its wetness manifest: a scorching sense of shame or the heat of emotion?
The grass is also like me As soon as it can raise its head the lawnmower obsessed with flattening it into velvet, mows it down again. How you strive and endeavour
to level woman down too! But neither the earth's nor woman's desire to manifest life dies. Take my advice: the idea of making a
footpath was a good one.
Those who cannot bear the scorching
defeat of their courage are grafted on to the earth. That's how they make way for the mighty but they are merely straw not grass -the grass is really like me.
This passage beautifully explores themes of resilience, identity, and the struggle against oppression. The grass serves as a powerful metaphor for the speaker's own experience, highlighting the tension between the desire to grow and flourish and the forces that seek to suppress that growth.
The imagery of the grass unfurling underfoot suggests a natural, instinctive drive to thrive, while the lawnmower represents societal pressures and expectations that aim to flatten individuality and suppress vitality. The comparison to women’s experiences underscores the broader struggle against patriarchal forces that seek to control and diminish.
The mention of "wetness" evokes a sense of vulnerability, questioning whether it signifies shame or emotional depth. This duality reflects the complexity of human experience, where feelings of shame can coexist with profound emotional richness.
The speaker's assertion that neither the earth's nor woman's desire to manifest life dies is a powerful declaration of resilience. It suggests that despite the attempts to suppress growth, the innate drive to live fully and authentically persists.
The final lines draw a distinction between those who succumb to defeat and those who, like grass, embody strength and tenacity. The idea of making a footpath symbolizes the importance of carving out space for oneself, asserting that true strength lies in the ability to endure and thrive despite adversity.
Overall, this passage resonates with a call for empowerment and the recognition of the inherent value of life and individuality, encouraging a celebration of resilience in the face of challenges.