The Taxi

A Poem by Mehar Anaokar

She called for a taxi
She called for a ride
She saw the driver wave
And quickly got inside

It's getting late, she thought
As she told him the address
She kept her purse on her lap
And tugged a little at her dress

Around 11:30
Fifteen minutes had been up
The driver took a different turn
And stopped the car abrupt

She asked him what was wrong
She told him to start the car
Grudgingly he turned the keys
As two headlights appeared not too far

He drove down the dark streets
She was now more awake than ever
She finally recognised a sign
And thought the night to be over

The headlights drew closer
Just as she reached her gate
The driver stopped a few metres early
And told her to wait

2 men got out from the car behind them
And she let out a scream
She let herself out and began to run
Hoping it was just a dream

"Hey you there, stop!"
She heard as she continued on her way
She heard the footsteps get louder
And thought this was her last day

A young man, maybe her age
Caught up to her as she fell
He helped her up and smiled
And asked her if she was well

He told her he had called the cops
As he expressed his concern
He told her to be careful
Because it's a cruel world

He told her of his tragic past
Of a fallen sister
He said he'd never gotten over
The blow Fate had administered

She looked at him, unable
To speak another word
She squeezed his arm, then went inside
And behind the door a sob was heard

Her heart was still beating loud
Her mind was in unrest
How many girls before her
Had been put to the test?

She thought of their families
Father, mother, neighbour
She thought of their grieving hearts
And folded her hands in prayer

She closed her eyes and and exhaled
A tear rolled down her cheek
She said, dear God, the worlds become a mess
Where have you been?

She demanded for an answer
She demanded an escape
She demanded for an end
To murder, pillage and rape