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This poem talks about the social implication a woman goes through for raising her voice; for a woman should always obey.
Tied to the stake I stand alone,
watching the sun in the far distance
The light from it though has long since gone
I have been loved and hated,
worshipped and tarnished
fit to be done as others please
My voice is meek, it can’t be heard
Yet I must obey what has been decreed
Tied to the stake I remain,
waiting for my fate that has been proclaimed by men
I have been called a witch, the vile one
I don’t conform to norms, I become a threat
I dared to think, so I break the law
I must be mad they say
I am a sinner, I must be punished
I shamed my family and society
and dishonored their name
My voice is ignored, it need not be heard
I must simply obey what has been observed
The crowd gathers to watch the spectacle
Eyes curious and questioning,
but not a murmur of protest is registered
The rope that ties me cuts into my flesh
I scream in pain to the deaf ears
The scent of my blood drives them with lust
They pelt the first stones to silence my screams
Amongst the crowd few voices are heard,
encouraging their men to cast the stones harder
The judges come, lit torches in their hands
They have finally come to light my pyre, to sanctify my soul
In the distance a hawk hunts its prey
while the meek rabbit hides,
whimpering in terror unable to protest
Its voice as timid as mine, unheard and ignored
It will bear a silent witness to my death if it survives
The crowd watches with bated breath, predators and scavengers both
as the drama slowly unfolds
They won’t save me now as the hands light my pyre
But after my death a few will call me a martyr
The murmur grows as the hour approaches
The sun has set and my pyre has been lit
The light from my pyre illuminates the crowd
casting away darkness from the faces that watch in awe
They gasp in horror at the outcome
The realisation dawns, but it is too late now
The fire consumes me, my screams have long died
The fire is burning, justice has been done
Tied to the stake my body remains
as it watches into the distance,
in this no country for women
Cover image via Shutterstock
My name is Aavinash Chaliha and I am from Guwahati, Assam. I have a passion for writing and I love to read books, watch movies and listen to music. I have briefly worked in the read more...
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