Scalding pearls from her eyes splash the alpana
On the ceremonial platform
Her neck, a stiff ligament, turns with difficulty
Towards the conch blower
Who, throwing back her head
Halts, correcting her pitch.
The ululation pierces the
Bones of her skull
As she holds her stomach,
Nay, her womb
Barren and still.
So the gynecologist had said;
Pronouncing a death knell.
Relatives mill around, callous.
Her husband’s bald pate
Catches the reflection of the pandal light
As he ascends the platform to garland his new bride
Whose nubile face looks tight as she turns away
From her middle-aged bridegroom’s gaze.
Their eyes meet.
“Throw the garland around his neck!”
Someone admonishes.
She throws the noose on his face
And walks away.
Their eyes meet once again…
Advertisements
writespace4iw
Indrani, that ending was deserved. To the young child, not ready for marriage, yet forced into it, the garland around the bald senseless husband-to-be might as well be a noose, might as well be suffocating her life.. Powerful realistic poem, etched in verse..! A pleasure to read..
Thanks Vinay, I don’t believe we have spoken before, have we?
Thanks Shail, means such a lot to me 🙂
Dear Indra,
A lovely poem from the woman’s point of view, to-the-point and yet such a realistic portrayal of affairs. If only all women were courageous…..
Sad state of affairs for thousand of women like the one in the poem but then how many have the courage to say no?
I loved the anti climax. so nicely written. 🙂
The anti climax was a last-minute addition! Thanks for visiting!=.
I should have added courageous too. I meant sad that a wife is discarded for an issue that she cannot help and that those closest to her should be ready to compromise on her happiness.
I completely agree. Why are women considered so dispensable?
So terse, yet so well crafted. So sad…
Sad!? The young bride to be wife walks away after throwing the garland on the groom’s face…
Reality portrayed well with both verse and an apt picture….
Thanks so much 🙂
Wow, this is a real hard hitting poem. Loved it Indrani.
Thanks so much, Beyniaz. You know how much I value what you have to say. Thanks again 🙂
Every detail very well depicted Indrani. Thanks for sharing.
Coming from you, it feels great!
Wonderful imagery,enjoyed it Indrani.
Thanks Vimala, thanks for visiting.
Realism intricately woven in verse.
Hey thanks!