Hemant Bawankar
(Inspired by the news published in a newspaper in which a mother donated her eyes with an unborn child before dowry-death. This poem has been cited from my book “The Variegated Life of Emotional Hearts”.)
☆ It’s not an eye-donation…. It is an eye-offering ☆
Listen
these eyes are
not only eyes
but,
these eyes are
like melted and purified gold
in the life’s altar.
I have seen.
No ….No
these eyes have seen
a river of fire
warmth in the mother’s lap
and
inflammation of puberty.
Wedding pavilion
sacrificial altar
and seven rounds
around the fire.
The first night’s
soft and warm flower bed
and …. and
various forms of fire.
My beautiful body,
I was proud of which
has been scorched
in
the fire of dowry.
Where is ‘he’?
Where?
Who has held my hands
by making
fire as witness.
Now given
the fire of dowry;
and ……
he will give
the fire of the funeral.
But, Mom!
Why are you crying?
And brother,
you too?
You are drowned in debt
by raising funds for dowry.
How have you been broken in life?
Alas!
Dad is no more today.
Else,
in your place
he could have offered
his shoulder to you
in support
to cry with you!
My goodbye tears
are still in my eyes
and
my bier is being readied.
Enough is enough.
Breath is less than hope,
I am going
with an unborn child.
I can’t imagine
his/her face
and
I don’t know
how he/she could
smile/play/laugh/cry
if he/she could take birth?
No ….. no
Mom!
Enough is enough.
Now,
give these eyes to someone.
Not as a donation
as charity is being done by those
that have something.
Therefore,
it is not an eye-donation
it is an eye-offering
to continue the journey
of life.
Listen
These eyes are
not only eyes
but,
these eyes are
melted and purified gold
in the life’s altar.
© Hemant Bawankar
This poem was written on 2nd December, 1987.
संवेदनशील अभिव्यक्ति।
आभार सर।
बहुत सोचने को विवश करने वाली कविता।
सुंदर कविता