PSALM OF IMAGES

Every now and then, there's a particularly (bad) example of the art of the advertising agency. Or maybe it's particularly good, since it made me take notice? We seem to be dominated by image-making, these days. Everyone has to have the make-over. At least it made me pray . .

1. God, you made her so attractive:

it is her sensuous curves that make her into a woman.

2. Or is it just the advert that makes her look so good:

her image polished only to catch the eyes of men?

3. For the fashion was not always the same:

the shape of women has sometimes been different -

4. topless, in ancient Crete, with a tiny waistline:

a bustle gave grace to Victorians with their proper deportment.

5. Today, we speak about sex more openly:

but women are still exploited in a world that is run by men,

6. and men are also used as adverts:

the softer image of a father to attract the money of women.

7. Why do we use one another so much:

is it possible to respect without exploiting others?

8. Both women and men are made in your image:

we need each other as equals, not as symbols.

9. Teach me to respect my own sexuality:

in my body to honour the other person.