On Her Own Way

Silent stream gently braced the cold ashes

As dull moonlight spread on a sooty passage

Zephyr too seemed to hum a poignant note

And dull horizon warned of a tempest above

She walked quietly carrying her infant son

Still in past, somewhat numb to reason

A swarm of people awaited her there

Relatives, elders and many a neighbor

Their eyes, piercing and arrow like

As if mocking the tragedy of her life

“With him gone, you hapless woman!

Mould your life as per the canon

Implore God to wash your sins

Hide from men and lusty urchins

Cut those dark curls & drape white

Avoid rich cuisines, even their sight”

Compelled an old sunken lady

Having passed the diktat already

A frame so frail but voice so rife

As if an authority on banal life

She too saw all this early in age

A fox she was but dressed a sage

Peering eyes and rapacious looks, she saw it all

And then stood up, with spine so erect and tall

Staring back to each nasty eye, started off-

“I lost my beloved but that’s ‘his’ end

He did his own part and went away

Now, I will walk my own way

I too have a life; rather a long one

A son to raise and duties to dispense

Joys shall fill my voids with smile

Brick by brick will intact what’s left behind

I will pick pieces and wear his shoes

Tackle the unkind world, as it goes

Colors will smile again and so will Thee

Those are my plans and rest to destiny”

Calmly she said , clutching her son

Assuring that she expects from none

“You shameless nymph!” cried an old man

“Cover your head and think of God

Respect tradition and now be sad

At least for the sake, shed a tear

But stay away, do not come near

If all the widows will think like her

Society will surely go to the gutter

Dare not have the traditions shatter

Don’t be a blot on our rich culture”

His blood red eyes each like flaming ember

Others joined too-“yes! She must surrender”

“Of course!” shirked an old lady

“Unchaste”, one had certified already

“I will decide which path to follow

For I am neither a wimp, nor hollow

My son will admire a strong mother

Not a loser running from bad weather”

She took up her child and walked on

Towards a new future and a new dawn

The Gods saw this and clapped in bliss

A girl’s aura can a million suns eclipse

Look! There she goes, in search of a new day!

But when every girl would say-

“I respect my esteem, dignity and honor”

“I won’t let myself be pushed to a corner”

“I have a spine and I refuse to be sorry”

Gods will show that lady, her very way to glory!

Being forced to wear white all life, a mourning that never ends, being ostracized from all the family functions and a hundred other mindless restrictions –that’s what any woman’s nightmares are made of. Unfortunately, this is the very life many women lead in some parts of India. Widowhood not only unleashes cruelty and ruthlessness of the society on an already distressed being but our malicious traditions too, suck all her dignity and push her to oblivion.

Sadly, it is not easy to change die-hard perceptions, rotten preconceived notions and redundant customs. In metros and cities where many women are educated, working and self dependent, severity may be less but presence still haunts though in minor shades.

So, kicking hard that putrid double faced society that knows only to force traditions and enjoy cruelty, women should come out of their pigeon-holes and face the world with confidence expecting nothing from this hypocrite world. 

Images from: 

-http://sandanamullai.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/1664762-4-silhouette-mom-and-baby.jpg

-http://freethoughtblogs.com/taslima/2012/06/03/the-living-dead-2/