Saturday, September 1, 2012

Wounded but Unbowed


Photographs, such as this one clicked by my FB friend Arvind Khanna of New Delhi, actually stop you in your tracks and make you think.

The apathy of a society that lets this happen, the mercenary  attitudes, that allow such bondage, and the foolish types, who think this will keep a good person down.

The photographer has included this capture in a set, entitled  "wounded" .

I would like to add,  "and unbowed".....

Think again.

 (photo by Arvind Khanna)
Acid thrown on her,
disfigured,
and bare bones
she stands,
unlimbed,
yet trying to display
a "v" for victory sign.

They think
they will keep her in place
with
wire barbs
and wordy barbs;
Both poke and hurt,
and sometimes
draw blood.

They know not,
that her real strength
lies enmeshed
in the social underground;
solid strong roots
absorbing and passing on to her
the sap of confidence.

New tissues,
new growths,
newer limbs,
and the latest fruit
enjoyed in a new independence,
as the barbed folks
keep trying,
rust, and fall apart.

3 comments:

  1. Loved how you have put into words the plight of a woman who is suppressed yet stands tall. We have many examples of these - sometimes they come to light, sometimes they are ignored in denial.

    Amazing read!

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  2. This time, you have gone beyond the obvious, Suranga and what wonderful insight!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Loving the last lines...
    enjoyed in a new independence,
    as the barbed folks
    keep trying,
    rust, and fall apart.

    Your imagery amazes me every single time :-)

    ReplyDelete