Awake ye muses nine, sing me a strain divine,
Unwind the solemn twine, and tie my Valentine!
Oh the Earth was made for lovers, for damsel, and hopeless swain,
For sighing, and gentle whispering, and unity made of twain.
All things do go a courting, in earth, or sea, or air,
God hath made nothing single but thee in His world so fair!
--Emily Dickinson
Happy V.D. Day, as my college biology professor used to say! I wish you all a wonderful day filled with whatever floats your boat. I'm a realist and an old married lady, so my husband and I will be hanging out on the couch tonight, eating pizza and watching Lost. Because nothing says "I love you" more than a shootout on a deserted island.
Besides a great excuse to gorge ourselves silly on chocolate and rich foods, today is also the 10th anniversary of V-Day, Eve Ensler's campaign to rid the world of violence against women. (Come on, you knew I'd get political.) Centered around Ensler's play The Vagina Monologues, this movement brings together communities across the world in an effort to educate, enlighten, and ultimately, take a stand against the atrocities affecting women everywhere. Many communities host productions of Ensler's piece, and if you have never seen it performed, you are missing quite a treat. Let me just say, in defense of my poor husband, that there is nothing more romantic than hearing him scream, "Vagina!" at the top of his lungs, in a room filled with 200 women.
The Vagina Monologues tears down so many social barriers, frankly discussing women's sexuality and the issue of violence that too often accompanies it. Previous V-Day events have examined genital mutilation in Africa, the Juarez, Mexico murders, and New Orleans after Katrina. At the end of each performance, the actors ask the audience members to stand in honor of someone they know who has been affected by violence, and always, there are few people who remain seated.
According to its website, v10.vday.org, V stands for "Victory, Valentine, and Vagina." And the movement will continue until the violence stops. At that point, the V will stand for "Victory over Violence." Just some food for thought.
Happy Valentine's Day!
