This post has been published by me as a part of Blog-a-Ton 56; the fifty-sixth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write.
Like any other mundane Monday morning,
Boredom heavy on my shoulders,
Legs resisting the walk till the bus stop,
I board the everyday crowded bus.
Taking the window seat as usual,
I sip in, a little of the fresh breeze.
She comes and sits beside me in an ironed sari,
Unknown and beautiful,
We exchange courtesy smiles,
How I notice that bruise in her smile;
Leaking drops of blood,
She quickly wipes and casually says,
“I accidentally hit the wall”,
That is all and we part ways.
Next day still mundane,
The same routine walk and the bus,
A certain coincidence,
She sits beside me again.
Only today her sari has few creases,
And her hand burning in scratches,
“My cat did this in love”,
She says, answering my concern,
That is all and we turn our ways.
Third day, I wait,
Wait to meet her before the bus,
The bus leaves and another arrives,
Yet my eyes could not have her sight.
Then, fourth is the day when she comes,
I reserve her seat beside me,
To see if she is fine,
Avoiding everyone in the line,
No scratches, No bruises;
But a plastered arm;
And a packed journey bag,
Her first day smile was the last,
I sense an ache in my heart,
Finally she shares her secret,
Before the bus could start,
“No cat, no hit from the wall,
I have a partner who is brutally cruel.”
The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Participation Count: 02.
Anybody could be a victim to this menace, men, women or otherwise. However, the stories of close companions that I have heard have been mostly women. Hence, the protagonist of my poem is a female.
Image Credits - Blog-a-ton
Poem © Copyright Salvwi Prasad (POETICbug)
I never understand how some women wait until it gets past the stage of covering up with excuses to reveal their abusive household. Ironically this story is so much similar to my friend who is a lawyer and yet decided to file for a divorce only after her abusive husband sent her to the ER.
ReplyDeleteThank You for visiting my blog.
DeleteWe cannot certainly say it is easy to break the shackles. And then there is always that human tendency of "hope" that things might get better. Lets give it a chance. Somehow that delays things to a point where you have to finally yield, either to submission or fight against it.
Yeah. There are many secrets like that which shouldn't be a secret. Hope such secrets lessen each day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vinay. Don't we all hope for the same. :)
DeleteSome secrets should be revealed for good. This poem, is too touching :) All the best for BAT! Keep writing!
ReplyDeletePoetically yours,
Someone is Special
Thank you for your appreciation.
DeleteVery profound.and captivating lines
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Mam :)
DeleteGlad she packed her journey bag!
ReplyDeleteA nice poem.
Thank You Indrani.
DeleteGlad you liked it.
Painful...brutal / harsh. If u allow me please ...I would like to add a couple of lines at the end,,
ReplyDelete4th Day she comes, she smiles in joy- no bruises/ no cuts/ no pains
I am relieved yet curious - I question her " how all is fine"
Its a secret she says, but is happy to share.
In the lock up he rots with empty walls to stare...
Thank you Viyoma.
DeleteOf course each would have their own interpretation of the end. I do like you lines for the ending as well. I am glad you liked the poem to share few lines.
This is so wonderfully weaved. No woman should bear domestic violence silently. Great poem :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Purba
DeleteIndian women do hide cruelty of their husbands giving them more power, you have expressed this feeling beautifully, I liked the positive ending
ReplyDeleteMy BAT56 entry A Secret Revealed
Thank you for visiting my blog. I am gad you liked the poem.
DeleteRemarkable poem. To me this poem depicts what we notice everyday but don't really "notice", until the secrets are revealed.
ReplyDeleteATB for BAT56!
Thank you Gauri. :)
DeleteTrue... Domestic violence is walking breathing around us... Some don't notice, some don't care to take action. Most of the victims even refuse to take any action!
ReplyDeleteNice poem. All the best for BATOM
Thank You Megha for visiting :)
Delete