She sat by the window lost in thought Her mind and heart a battle fought To wed a stranger twice her age Her family said was no outrage Or take such matters into her hand Elope with her love to a far off land
Her mother, then, came in that day To impart wisdom on her wedding day 'My dear, why must you be so irate, Learn to accept what is your fate Culture and tradition will always dictate That we as parents will choose your mate.
Love and passion count for naught Just as common sense cannot be bought Time alone will engender love Respect will be your treasure trove. Listen well to what you've been told Our honor alone you must uphold.'
Duty and honor must surely dictate What her heart desired, to abate. With a broken spirit she bid adieu To her only love, to start anew; Knowing then that come what may A bartered bride she would be that day.
So amidst all the pomp and splendor She left her home with heart asunder As her father tried to soothe her pain He said these final words again: "Your home is with your spouse today Our doors are closed if you return to stay."
And so began her new life again In fear and anger and in pain; And with time all respect went away And honor and tradition no longer held sway For though she fought against her pride She knew she was just a bartered bride
In time her passion made her bold Her only love she vowed to uphold And so in many a secret rendezvous A forbidden love now became taboo. And culture, tradition, honor and pride Meant little enough to a bartered bride
But alas! as all such stories go The ignorant masses came to know And amidst the rage and blinding hate A silent death was a merciful fate A fitting end is what they claim To a forbidden love borne of shame
Think you not that this tale be old Even today such things go untold For culture and tradition still dictate Whom to love and whom to hate And conscience is just a silent voice Fighting alone for freedom of choice.
Anwar bhai, the tragic scenario, so often taking place even now has come out well. People need to be truly educated so that one can come out of such travesty. I congratulate you and put my appreciation through to you. I believe at least some people will be influenced by this poem of yours! What more can one want!
Sharbaaniranjan Kundu
05/08/2013
very heart touching, reality of life aptly depicted.
