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Thursday, March 14, 2013

WHO AM I?

You are graced
Chosen to live the elite - human
So am I...supposedly…


You are blessed
With five senses to embrace
The fruits of life and living
So am I...apparently…

We seem like two sides of a coin
Conjoining to seed and germinate life

But,

I remain mirrored
By your perceptions

Revered as Parvathi* for benevolence
Yet,
Ordained as Sita* to prove my chastity

Worshipped as Shakthi* , an epitome of valour
Yet,
Immolated as Sati* to prove my loyalty

You walk free
Of mythological insinuations
Religious placations
Saved of even historical connotations

And I
I remain a figurine
Time immemorial
Hugged by a demeanour
To tread carefully on your caprices
Bequeathed on me

Ironical!?!
Or

Am I mistaken?
Reading the facts

Am I disillusioned?
Deciphering the truth

Am I unreasonable?
In asking you to see me
As me, myself, sans myriad forms
A WOMAN of substance
Chosen and blessed, equally


*Parvathi, Sita and Shakthi are the three facets of Goddess in the Hindu religion. They symbolise, according to me, patience, pain and power; three virtues that, I believe, define womanhood. However, their glory is sadly restricted only to mythological stories and epics, diluted in today’s parlance, like Sati, unfortunately, was the name chosen for a ritual where a widow had to immolate herself on the pyre of her husband. Although eradicated, it does make an appearance in one of those remote corners where life is a far cry from living.

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14 comments:

  1. You make incredibly valid points that folks of which other cultures are not always aware. I am so glad you shared this perspective, and did it in such an easy-to-read, relatable fashion. Nice work.

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  2. Very thoughtful and powerful.
    Throughout most of human history
    life has not been kind to women.

    Cheers!
    JzB

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  3. You have, in a quite pressing manner, expressed your voice through this poem Akhila. Beautifully written :)

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  4. Hard for me to imagine how hard women had (have) it elsewhere. Nice light shed on a world I know little about

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  5. Ah, a soul-stirring poem!Immaculate, Akila.

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  6. This was most interesting to read - I love the statement the poem makes, and also was really intrigued by your process notes. I love poems that reveal other cultures and make me more aware. Thank you for this.

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  7. Love this poem and the perspective of another culture. Superb!

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  8. Akila, would you please email me at WildWoman2@shaw.ca ? I have something to ask you :-)

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  9. I enjoyed this poem, Akila. It gave me a window into your culture that I would not have otherwise had! Poetry is good for this, isn't it? Smiles.

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  10. neat poem - very good!

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  11. This is beautifully written. Thank you.

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