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#Poetry. A searing expression of regret for all that could have been and what happened. A poem about loss and love.
I think this is where I live now but I’m not home I’ve been asleep but I don’t feel rested My heart stopped beating a long time ago but then why does it still ache? Is it even possible? But then I am a poor judge of possibilities I didn’t think it was possible to love someone as much as I did I didn’t think it was possible to trust the way I did I didn’t think I would never go back home I still don’t know why he left me here On every call, every night, he had promised me a life of forevers I picked each word, strung them together like a beautiful melody, replaying them later like my own precious composition I hear no melody now, there’s no music anywhere It’s dark, cold, damp First I thought it was because of all the tears I had shed, waiting for someone to come Then I realized it was the rain They say the ground beneath our feet is buzzing with life, then why can I only hear the echoes of death? I tried thinking of all the things at home that could keep me warm A bushy moustache that could tickle out all my confessions, a little girl’s adoring eyes always trained on me, a stewing pot of food made with the purest of love and hugs that could melt mountains But I’m still cold I tried thinking of everything above this blanket of earth on me The fireflies, the stars, the dandelions, I just want to tell them Fly and blaze because I never will Shine and sparkle because I never will Soar and glide in the gentle breeze because I never will Mom, I’m sorry, for not listening to you And for so much else I wanted to grow up and take care of you but I’m far away now So far away that I can’t even hear you calling out to me, over and over again You must be strong I don’t want you to keep crying in my empty bed I don’t want you to hold on to my pretty pink dress I want you to curl up your feet, rest and forget all the pain It’s too late now, but I’ll always be your baby and some day we will meet again.
Editor’s note: This story had been shortlisted for the October 2017 Muse of the Month, but not among the top 5 winners.
Image source: pixabay
Richa is a Ted X speaker, an award-winning writer, columnist, ex-journalist and advertising professional. She has authored four books of which three are being adapted for screen. She is a blogger and travel read more...
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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