Woman ‘s betrothal( Sijo)
With rosy red roose on her cheeks powdered and a lipstick blood red spread, on thin lips she was waiting to bloom
Not a cloud seen spreading its gloom. So the Sun alights at the eastern sphere to grace
Rising above the hills, the sun blinked. Within the milky white, sky it stood still awhile
The bride decked at the dais waited and smiled. Fragrant flowers freshly adorned her hair
Little flower girls around sleepily yawned. A peaceful moment to meet and greet.
An unknown journey in life.Starry eyed she began with hope for once she yearned with body and mind
Before dawn she knew her fate at the hands of her unquoth man was sealed
Raped she was and what is more , he told her, “there will not be love, woman! you work, live and bear”.
For a woman who could not expect anything but to be a wife It was understood, this was all in the game.
While the earth moves and whirls round the Sun, she thought, her life spins around struggles,
Pains, wearied and tied with tasks, ravaged and torn, broken to bits with unending chores
To stay on in life with burdens to bear one or the other. Then what is it that gives her the high
To carry on against all odds, It is her undying faith and the belief in Karma, She holds her breath and watches In the neighbourhood, she awaits to hear some good tidings to cheer
Life is full of dismay, she does not care At the sunset point, is a grand display
The festival at the nearby temple is on Silently she looked up, smiled and moved on
Filled with new energy soon she crooned and danced sought joy from simple things
The innocent smile of a new born babe brought new joy to her aching heart
“If Frailty thy name is woman “the poet said ‘Sacrifice’ thy name is female, she thought.
She remembered the one advice of her father on her wedding day
“Never move out of your marital home ever, the struggle you bear for your children’s sake
Only go on your funeral pyre, So flimsy she knew her life will be till death
She carried on likewise.
" O death where is thy sting ?, O grave where is thy victory?."
