( forward. )

When Janet first asked me to forward this collection, I felt honored. After reading it, I feel proud. Janet and I, as with so many women throughout time, are making our stand for equality through our writing. In that same estrological vein as our foremothers; Dorothy Parker, Anais Nin, Anna Akhmatova, to mention a extreme few, we have perpetuated that step beyond our dutiful roles bequested by society as a subservient species. Ignoring the flack for facing it head on, we persist, we prevail. We’ve seen a woman run for President, orbit the earth, partake in professional sports, win Peace Prizes, become the Poet Laureate and generally, hold our own. As with so much squelching of Black History, both have been been enlightened to regular teachings in our school systems. Books have been printed heralding such accomplishments. There is a recognition evolving in our world. A recognition of Women as equals. Outspoken women have awakened an awareness of our unyielding presence. Frida Kahlo’s evoking paintings, Mother Teresa’s spirit, Eleanor of Aquitaine’s perseverance and astuteness, the audaciousness of Jehanne Tarc (Joan of Arc), the defiance of Harriet Tubman, needless to say, the list is as endless as our possibilities as women are endless. Modern day audaciousites as Madonna, Annie Sprinkle, Lydia Lunch, Susie Bright have all mocked sexism by flaunting sex. Not as an enticement as much as a natural. Yeah, we all have organs. Fact! The perversion of subservience is abating. We not only bring home the bacon, we can fry it up in that pan AND we can take that man’s role and lead with it. Equal, yet individual.
Within these pages, Janet takes hold of everyday stereotypes, shakes them up, and throws them at your feet. She makes you look at the vile mess we have all helped to create and exist. “This is not a pretty picture” is quite intent in describing what you are about to read...what you are about to see. Broken into appropriate chapters...for men & for women, Janet pokes your own pointing finger in your own eye. Blink again and look at the absurd labeling and phrases taken to task. She gives voice to a woman convicted of killing her boyfriend during a rape, chopping his body up and then being sentenced to an asylum. This story belongs in “WOMEN OF THE ASYLUM” as it is every bit as intensifying as those within that book’s pages. The following phase is poetry relating to date rape, domestic violence, emotional abuse and recovery.
With more and more uppity women standing tall, unreserved, it just has to be inevitable the world is going to listen. I applaud Janet her stand and I will gladly stand beside her.

OEUVRE

Janet Kuypers
http://www.JanetKuypers.com
JKuypers@scars.tv
ISBN# 1-891470-22-1
$16.22

Scars Publications and Design
827 Brian Court, Gurnee IL 60031-3155 USA
Editor@scars.tv
http://scars.tv

in conjunction with Penny Dreadful Press
and assistance from Freedom & Strength Foundation, Troy Press, Hawthorne Press & Dried Roses Press

first edition
printed in the United States of America

copyright @ 2004 Scars Publications and Design
writings @ 1979-2004 Janet Kuypers
book design @ 1998-2004 Scars Publications and Design

This book, as a whole, is fiction, and no correlation should be made between events in the book and events in real life. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.

Information about past books is available upon request through Scars Publications and Design. Materials from the literary magazines “Children, Churches and Daddies” and “Down in the Dirt” are available on line at http://scars.tv, as are .mp3 files, .ra files, .aif files, .au files, .wav files .mov and mpeg files of Kuypers, both reading her work and singing with three sets of musicians.

Oeuvre is published through Scars Publications and Design, whose publisher is a member/minister through the Universal Life Church. Scars Publications and Design, the logo and associated graphics @ 1979 - 2004. All rights reserved. Kuypers and Scars Publications and Design welcome your comments, tips, compliments or complaints. Direct all comments and suggestions to the e-mail addresses listed above.

The definition of oeuvre (the works of a writer, painter, or the like, taken as a whole) is from the Websters Unabridged 2001 Dictionary.