Poem: The tearful tale of an aravaani

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The tearful tale of an aravaani

This is the story of an aravaani

woman trapped in a man's body

as a man I was destined to rule this world

as a woman I desired to rule this world

yet here I am: this despicable maiden

all forlorn

with an epic so dark and tragic

that it would move a stone to tears.

Along the seashore

adorned in colorful hues

she roamed about, destitute,

with folded hands that clapped,

she begged with dignity

Many were those who

lashed at her with their tongues

leaving her to cry

heaping slurs on her:

broken hearted, she turned to silence

she became a sieve among souls

I asked the broken hearted maiden

And out she poured her story.

what then is the tragic tale of this aravaani?

well, let us listen to it.

the one who bore me in her womb scorned me

the one who sowed his seed made me weep

the ones born before me refused to see my face

the one born after me ran away in fear and scorn

I became blind, despite eyes to see

among my own I became a refugee

within my family I became an orphan

with food I got my daily dose of

earful of hurtful words

the elder one was like a thorn

the younger one was like a spear

Kill me with a knife and I'd gladly die

once, and with dignity

amidst these ignorant people

I died, without dying

not once but many times.

Then my tragic tale became a hurdle

for my fair sister's wedding

my mother who nourished me

with her own blood

was ready with poison.

i decided that a chicken

should not die

in the hands of the hen that gave it life.

and I left..

to live among my own kind

I found my kindred folks

sister, mother they said

and nourished me with love

I surrendered my manhood

transformed into a woman

and glowed in pride

my life was complete at last.

passions shook me from head to toe

yes, I had my distractions

but was determined to live my life

like a lotus that stood tall in shallow water

slowly the will disappeared

blinded by desire

men flocked to my feet

I milked those who

came to eat my flesh

there was money in my hands too.

and then there was one who came as a customer

while I could not carry his child

I thought i would call him mine.

Trickery in the guise of marriage

treachery in the guise of love

he robbed me of my money

and abandoned me on the streets.

generously I gave to everyone

ike a bountiful vessel

but was given a begging bowl instead

Who did this?

Who ? who? who?

 

 

D. Dinesh Kumar,

Erode,

Tamilnadu.

e-mail: <ethics.justice@...>