Comand and Covet

This is a piece I wrote after I saw a documentary of destituted sex workers who live in the underbelly of most cities.I am from India & have dedicated this piece to these helpless women & their plight

Dreaming of a light,

There seems no match for the fight.

Can I still burn in this alone?

These aren’t my sins that I atone.

 

What have I walked into?

Desolate, I now suffocate.

To place which I have no clue,

To separate, can someone please medicate?

 

I’m playing this game, helpless, I haven’t designed,

I see myself now and ever confined.

Can anything come and take me not doubting,

As I scream in my lungs,

Is there a sound you hear rousing?

 

My soul to command and covet,

I have stopped this day my regret

 

I see this glimmer,

Carpe diem before it grows dimmer,

Can I still break free off this spiral,

To what avail should I hold this title.

 

I’m climbing out of this wretched pit

Realizing this pain I carry,

To a place of skies evenly split,

To crawl out of this patch, I got to hurry

 

Find a home today,

A place where I can pray

Keeping these scars beneath me,

I watch as the time turns me gray,

Is there another way?

 

Done playing this game I haven’t devised,

I repair the now, not anymore confined.

There is someone to come and take me not doubting,

As I scream through my voice

There is a sound he hears rousing

 

Waking my soul to command and covet,

He knows no more than to breathe in my sweat.

Written By Roshan Nair
 Copyright © 2015 Roshan Nair

Author's Note

It is a really sorry existence these women are subjected too and it quelled my heart into writing this piece...the cruel hope and the vicious circle of vices they are put through every day. I appreciate any reviews and comments you have.

Reviews

[AaronFreitas]

Great poem and a great point of view. Many people don't realize the vicious cycle of sex workers and sex slaves in the world. I was watching Underworld INc. and they briefly covered sex workers in Thailand that had applied for 90 day visas to come to America... they are sent to America and pimped out... when their time is up they are shipped back. The entire time it is against their will and there is not much they can do about it. Great topic to write about.

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks aaron, I totally get what you're saying. Its a cruel reality and an even crueler world they're subject to. Cheers

[Deepika]

I loved this poem!
"These aren’t my sins that I atone"
"I’m playing this game, helpless, I haven’t designed".
-- When one is made to pay a penalty for the other's sin..These lines are so heart-wrenching!

"To place which I have no clue"
"As I scream in my lungs"
--How destitute the being must be who's trapped in a merciless world!

Strong write! Good one Roshan!

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks a lot deepika :) really appreciate your words and kindness. Im glad you liked the piece :)

[R Smith]

a great poem to the plight of these poor women subjected to so much pain and degradation in their lives, when will the governments of countries do something to help those who are poor and suffering, it could be so different if the greed and fight for power was replaced by compassion and love for each other, well said Roshan, the women of your country need to be helped out of this place they are in and given a better hope for the future :)

[Roshan Nair]

Thank you for those heartfelt words Richard, I wish that dream does come true someday, no one is worthy of such a fate. I'm glad you connected so well to my poem. Cheers :)

[R Smith]

you are always welcome my friend :)

[Emily]

'I’m climbing out of this wretched pit'
I love this line!
Well done!!

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks a lot Emily!

[Coyote Poetry]

I saw 40 countries. Poor countries are hard. Woman have hard life and must do what they must. This is a hard topic. A lot of poverty which lead to desperate people and places. USA is no different. Your words direct and strong. How do you fix a world controlled by 3% of the population? Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks a lot John, I appreciate your connecting with the cause. Thanks for the review.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome.

[Saddam]

Heartfelt poetry here friend.
I like it.

[Roshan Nair]

thanks saddam, I appreciate it :)

[Raja Anjana Kothapalli]

Powerful and hearttouching write Roshan Nair! Thanks for sharing it! YOu have done an amazing work with the words. Very well done! :D

- Anjana

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks a lot Anjana, glad you feel so :)

[Raja Anjana Kothapalli]

Pleasure is mine :D

[Valentine]

I totally agree with you on this subject. Also they take very young girls and sell them. How does the government stop things like this from happening. Valentine Nicely written poem.

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks a lot Kathie, glad you liked it. Yes it is a huge dilemma, even the debate on legalizing it is somewhat coarse, as in they can part-take in the profession legally, but how can one assess th willingness of those part-taking. Its a sad situation

[Cool Girl]

This is extremely powerful and is going in my favorites library! I just love this poem so very very much and I need to thank you for it. Thank you for this poem and I just... I have no idea what to say. Amazing job, my friend. Outstanding job..

[Roshan Nair]

Thank you so much for that kind review.. Your appreciation moves me so much, and makes me want to get more of my work out. cheers, Thanks again I'm glad you liked it

[Cool Girl]

You're very welcome, my friend! Good luck with everything :)

[Tks]

This is probably one of the more empowering reads I have read till date, Roshan. Well done, I personally have seen and counselled women who have been rescued from such forced prostitution circles. The dark despair that you painted with your words eats them away inside, and when you cajole them to open up, they are unable to. They have lost themselves forever, and are only a shell used callously by men. Little does man know that by doing so, he would be stumbling up the breathless stairs, only to burst into fulfilment's desolate attic. Thank you for this piece, Roshan.

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks Tejash, I'm glad you could connect so well to the theme and cause. I have heard these words before from some volunteer friends of mine who work in rehabilitation of sex workers. One cant help but be dolefully awe-struck at the situation. If I may ask, what are the things that finally gets through to them after undergoing such an ordeal..or are there such things at all? I really appreciate your review, I can see you connected intimately with the cause here. cheers

[Tks]

It is hard to say, Roshan. It differs for each woman...but a single thing is indeed in common: they have lost their sense of self-worth. They feel dirty, contaminated, a pariah of society. Whereas the opposite is true...they deserve to live fulfilling lives, untainted by the past. And that is why behind each hollow pair of eyes, I see the only thing I can offer them, and all these wonderful women ever need: hope.