Pondering Sex And Its Words In Sunny Seattle
“The language of sex has yet to be invented.”
-Anais Nin
I think that I sometimes share the frustration Ms. Nin expressed with her quote above.
One finds erotica written obscurely as if it is filtered through a lens covered with gauze. One also finds erotica written frankly, yet such frank language requires the use of vulgarity. What we as a culture do not seem to posses is a language that frankly expresses sexuality and sexual pleasures with beauty, without vulgarity. This is I think a failing in our society, of our heritage.
I prefer erotica written frankly, I do not feel that I need an authors filter to protect my sensibilities. For this reason, I generally write my own erotica frankly. Would it not be nice to do so without having to rely upon vulgarities though?
Comments
i agree completely Mistress Milliscent, you expressed the dichotomy eloquently. i think it has to do with our culture's general inability to accept sex and sexual concerns as natural and instead have allowed religion and to a lesser extent government render sex as a vulgarity, and this is reflected in our language. i appreciate Your frank erotica and though the vulgarities turn me on, it would be nice to peruse an alternative.
Posted by: prisonbitch | April 8, 2009 12:50 AM
Dear Mistress Milliscent,
Our language is English. It has the words and grammar to allow a well-learned person to express anything in any way. I am sure that you have read beautiful prose and poetry to agree with my assessment.
I admit that some people do not have the skill or willingness to express sexual thoughts, or any kind of thoughts, for that matter, in a beautiful way.
I don't think it is necessary to be vulgar or crude to present sexuality or the sensual ways of our lives. I think I know what you meant, but I could produce counter examples for your satisfaction. A wordsmith is capable of writing beauty no matter the subject.
Posted by: susans.pet | April 11, 2009 3:46 PM
prisionbitch,
It is my hope that by using 'offensive' or 'vulgar' words in positive ways we change the words, make them positive instead of negative words.
M
Posted by: Milliscent | April 11, 2009 5:24 PM
Susan's pet,
I do not disagree that we have the language needed to write well.
I do however also feel that much of the vocabulary dealing with sex has been bastardized, rendered crude, offensive, vulgar, by those who use it negatively instead of positively.
M
Posted by: Milliscent | April 11, 2009 5:29 PM