The difference between men and women
That’s the writer’s life – set yourself an impossibly hellish goal and go for it. I could fill pages on just the difference between women, and there I go and put men in there too. Not to mention how peevish this kind of talk can make the womenfolk. I could be in trouble again.
Oh well, getting yelled at and flogged by purses is better than being ignored, I guess, so here we go.
For me, there is one phrase that most sets off the difference between men and women, as I’ve experienced it in my life: “If you loved me, you would know.” For women it seems like love is some sort of psychic telescope that lets you peek into other people’s brains. I never found it worked that way for me. The more I love somebody the more mysterious they get. They turn into vast dragons of pain and pleasure, more akin to aliens than the guy sitting next to me at the bar, whom I understand pretty well.
What set me off on this blog was the delightful and harrowing Anne Carson’s fabulist essay-poem “The Archaeology of Water”, from Plainwater. In it she describes men from a woman’s viewpoint:
What is it men want? They talk of pleasure. They go wild, then limp, then fall asleep. Is there something I’m not getting?
Nope, that’s it. Wild. Limp. Sleep. Is that so hard? We do like to diddle around with our hands on occasion and go hunting for pleasure when the whim strikes, such as when we got a remote in our paws, but other than that, and a tendency to get cross when somebody wants us to think, that’s about it. A good percentage of us like to be bossy, but I can’t think that’s a gender-related trait, judging from the women I’ve known.
So where does that leave us in this quest for difference? Me not know. I’ll just close with a quote from an existentialist:
Sex is a hole.
~ Jean-Paul Sartre
Your confused,
LWIII
Hmmm? Have never uttered that statement, “If you loved me, you would know.” In fact, I think it’s better to be an enigma because “If you knew me, you’d get bored.”
Sure am glad to know women exist who never said that. Quite a relief. Thought maybe it was a requirement of the sex. Not sure if knowing someone involves boredom, since I’ve never been able to do that, even with myself.
Thanks for the comment Darrelyn!
LWILL
Men are men and Women are women…Sometimes a Man can be Womanly and Woman can be Manly..
It’s that continual nagging thing that ruins the warmth in a relationship.
Men nag too you know.
You fall in love with someone..you try to change em you don’t love em quite so much…..whaaa the fuuuuu…
Keep the difference, it’s fascinating.
I guard my me-ness ferociously..
Mind ya…..
Enjoyed this post..made me smile…
Right wheres that Wisdom Boy!!
I have a question ruminating about me-ness-ness!
Forgetful Heart
Hey Truly, glsd to see you’re being true again, or as always I should say. Also very happy to make you smile. A good reward. Wisdom Boy’s around here somewhere….
Thanks for the vigorous comment. Nagging sucks, no matter who is doing it. And by the way, have you gotten to that thing yet?
xoxo!
LWill
THINGS….TRULY, are unspecified objescts..eeeeks…runs dives for cover. Ya see refused to conform even then.
I demand that the word THING..is redefined..as *no need to be specified object* as thing and a pointy finger should suffice.
I have since given that nagging thing some thought..Is Sarcasm a thinly disguised form of nagging…lateral nagging…..Jebuz…Busted!!!
However, i’m so cheeky, no one takes me seriously as a punishment for not taking them seriously in the first instance.
Truly Yeah Yeah Yeah of course i’m listening darling…;-p
Ha, sorry if that sounded like sarcasm. I thought I was just being silly. You can do whatever you want, or not!
LWILL
Hya, No the sarcasm reference was a ponder on my sarcasm of reply, at home, being a lateral way of nagging.
I was pondering, because, i state often, *I hate naggers and nagging* and wondered if my sarcasm was a nag by stealth.
I like Silly…
The things reference was a revisit to a previous reply talking about my mother and her pedantry around grammar..etc.
Reallly enjoy your blog.
Would never critisize, nag, or direct sarcasm at a piece of your art.
Tru.
Ah…huh. Thanks!