A Different Day

In the sad awakening of the latest 'National Shame'..And we in, our culture say, "We worship women.."

that day she never dreamt

would turn to a nightmare

unimaginable and pitiful

 

and that day he just thought

would be his best day

unimaginable and pitiless

 

 

 

that day she never dreamt

to dress more suitably

raise less brows and a muscle

 

and that day he just thought

she dressed just so sensuously

raising his eyebrows and a muscle

 

 

 

that day she never dreamt

to come home early

bid farewell to her light

 

and that day he just thought

of going home late

bid farewell to humanity

 

 

 

that day she never dreamt

or could ever dream again or have heart

for no sleep crept in those eyes

 

and that day he just thought

he had a dream come true and in that cavity he knew

for never had he slept more soundly

 

 

 

that day she never dreamt

would be the first among the many

fighting an unarmed battle against their pointing fingers

 

and that day he just thought

would be the first among the many he had courage for now

to grope and pull against their resisting fingers

 

 

 

that day she never dreamt

could ever be a terrible reality

ashamed and perturbed she painfully passed away.

 

and that day he was sure,

like others his penance too will pass by

unashamed unperturbed he gleefully smiled away

Reviews

[Namrata]

Oh I see, December 12, the national shame. I remember. It still sends a chill down the spine. What was I then ? A 14 year old, but I was so scared.
Apart from the ruthless memories, this poem is an intrepid, brave depiction of two different conscious mental states, one might be rendered non-functional.
It is a very vivid description which is probably going to linger in my mind and merge as a nightmare.
No question on your poetry but the intrepidity would intimidate anyone, it is just as precise !

[Stonz P.]

This is supposed to instil that weirded-out, uncanny, creepy feeling. Everyone was like "the girl was at fault", "teach the men", "yeh rokna hai", but the main issue is of the terrible loss it causes to the victim. Everyone suffers a trauma, only because a person survives does it get highlighted so much, there are worse rape cases I've read in paper, and I mean, few times I was near to puking reading the local hindi newspaper's descriptions!
The victim is then shunned, to make it worse. My issue is with the root cause! And I hope it came out.

Thank you for reviewing :)

[Namrata]

It did. Here was a brilliant and brave attempt at it. I have left the habit of reading newspapers early morning, I save them for later, you know. You can't start your day with a dash of blood red in black and white print, every single day !

[Rounak Jain]

I have read several on this issue. This one is a different and strong. It does leave an impact. great work.

[Stonz P.]

Thank you so much Rounak :)

[Kajal Gulabani]

Beautifully written... Gud work :)