avatarJenine "Jeni" Baines

Summary

Jenine Bsharah Baines shares a personal essay on the freedom of self-expression through the act of gardening in pajamas, challenging societal norms and embracing authenticity.

Abstract

In a reflective piece titled "Gardening in Pajamas," Jenine Bsharah Baines explores the concept of "radical self-expression" by recounting her experience of gardening in her sleepwear. Despite mixed reactions from neighbors, she defiantly rejects the notion of a dress code imposed by society, drawing inspiration from the Burning Man festival. Baines discusses the shedding of others' expectations to embrace her true self, a journey she likens to the mystical pursuit of one's true essence. She also acknowledges the influence of twittles, a poetic form, and expresses gratitude to those who have supported her exploration of authenticity.

Opinions

  • Baines views gardening in pajamas as a form of personal liberation and self-expression, akin to the radical self-expression concept from Burning Man.
  • She faces societal judgment, particularly from her neighbor Arlene and others who disapprove, but chooses to embrace her unique style regardless of external opinions.
  • Baines is working on accepting her inner male psyche, referencing Popeye, and asserts her right to dress without constraints, using colorful language to emphasize her point.
  • She considers the act of defying societal norms as a way of awakening to her true self, which allows her to express herself fully and authentically.
  • Baines appreciates the creative constraints of twittles and the support from Carolyn Hastings and Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 in her journey towards authenticity.
  • She extends her gratitude to her readers for joining her in contemplating the themes of self-expression and authentic living.

Gardening in Pajamas

I yam what I yam — a twittle

Image by Hebi B. from Pixabay

Who says I can’t wear pajamas weeding beds or watering sweet dreams? Nightmare shed, my song self I don – truth wakes wide-eyed.

©Jenine Bsharah Baines 2021

I’ve never attended Burning Man and have no desire to, but I love the festival’s concept of “radical self-expression.”

An example: often I garden in my pajamas.

Invariably, my neighbor Arlene will slap her knee in amusement if she catches me at this. Others overtly disapprove.

Which until very recently led me to think twice before heading outdoors, donned in flannels and a puffer vest.

Yet who says the club called humankind has to have a dress code? You wear your jeans or sweats; my inner Popeye — I’m working on embracing my male psyche, Rebecca Romanelli — will wear whatever the fuck he feels like.

I’m shedding the nightmare of others’ edicts and becoming what mystics call my true self so I can sing, sing, sing…

The Adventure continues.

Thank you, Carolyn Hastings, for introducing me to twittles — small, incredibly frustrating (sometimes) poems of 100 letters, not characters. Thank you, Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她), for providing a home for this ‘noodling’ on authenticity.

And thank you, dearest readers, for pondering with me.

Twittle
Poetry
Micropoetry
Poetry On Medium
Authenticity
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