If You Ask Me

The Taj Mahal. Now, I'm completely aware that the woman who is entombed there, Mumtaz Mahal, died in childbirth, delivering her 14th child. I know that it is a monument to the sub-human subjugation and mistreatment of women. I get that, truly I do. But..every time I see a photo in a magazine or on television, the sheer beauty makes me catch my breath.

Honestly, I try to imagine visiting the slave trade / auction sites in the American Southern States and trying to find beauty there, and it makes me feel nauseous and sweaty. However, the Taj Mahal... I long to see it, it sings a sweet siren song to my soul, 'come, come to me and you'll find peace'.