‘Life’s not a piece of cake’, women!
So in the lanes, when you walk alone-
Some ‘chip of the old blocks’
Chase you, scare you, and blast your womb
Such loathing lacerates, drips your heart
Lees of lust push you down
Burying sins of insouciance stifle your guts...
Rape is, an expression of men's dominance...so,
‘Sow your oats, reap a rich harvest’
The more bloody; the bloodier treats!
Prevent future humiliation and crime,
Swear never to get violated again!
Ah, when men like man-eaters thrive and stall
.. sort yourself
Between moments of despair and action
Silence those sly hypocrites!!
'Actions Speak Louder Than Words:' So,
With each assault- whip up screams
Let the echos divulge the terrors of male anarchy
‘Turn the tables,’
The intensity must match
... the night’s sizzle in rape
Heads must roll,
There’s no other way!
People protested on the streets
of Kolkata recently. Bengal’s angry intelligentsia
took out a protest march against the rising crime against women in the state. I
understand, there can never be a modicum of solution for any of today’s problem
through the creations of literature....nevertheless, I’m not losing hope....
This
poem is dedicated to all the rape victims of the state...
http://dversepoets.com/2013/06/22/poetics-bring-home-the-bacon-all-for-poetrys-sake-its-idioms//its idioms.
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.in/2013/06/poetry-pantry-155.html
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.in/2013/06/poetry-pantry-155.html
oh this one turned my stomach...rape is horrible...there is no reason or excuse it shoul happen...and i cant imagine watching and letting it happen either...i am glad you are not losing hope...ugh...very nice handling of a difficult topic
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brian. Its all because of paranoid politics. West Bengal is going through hell. you sure know how to make poet happy...:))) Thanks a zillion....
DeleteA strong poem, Panchali. I pray the tables WILL turn!
ReplyDeleteAmen ...to your prayers, Mary. Thank you.
DeleteA very intense piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, McGuffy for being here and for the encouragement :))
DeleteYou are having a lot of problems with this one at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThere must be a reason for the hatred and disrespect of women and these issues have to be addresses at the grass roots level through education. Good for you for speaking out. Everything no matter how small will eventually make a difference.Good to be able to have the opportunity to respond to your work.I wish you would use this format on your Haiku posts...I am unable to reply to them .
Cheers.
rallentanda, Ah...Malady of the times...!! Or a progressively weakening moral fiber...maybe? Who knows...?I am glad, I could vent out my feelings...that's all I can do, I guess.
DeleteThanks for the visit and comment... :))))
Your poem rises up against the atrocity like the protest marches themselves. Yes, may the screams be loud enough to stop the violence.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for the feedback, Sherry... really appreciate it... :)
DeleteAmen!
Intense piece, Panchali. I too, hope voices will be heard and such atrocities will cease. Well done!
ReplyDeleteAmen to your prayers, Lisa. I hope the mayhem will stop one day!
DeletePanchali,you have taken up a very sensitive issue and raised a thumping voice against it very brilliantly. This is the need of the country at this time..Very powerful depiction!!
ReplyDeleteAhh, Usha. It is indeed a great relief to be able to write it at least. Bang...or whimper, it sure feels good.
DeleteThanks for the lovely feedback.:)
thought provoking .. intense and energetic .. !
ReplyDeleteFollowing the Telegraph I was horrified to learn about places in Kolkata where it has become unsafe for women.
not every incident can be a Sajano Ghotona as our dear didi says !
Although its an universal issue .. awakening against the barbaric anarchy and dominant reign of men is a must!
mysay! Yes, we shall be there, soon!!! Amen. Rape and sexual violence on women are rooted in the patriarchal attitude and values that teach people, men and women, to see women as sex objects, to promote the belief that forcing unwanted sex on women is a form of masculine behavior! Bah, people see things from one perspective... never bother to see the other side of the coin . Strange, isn't it?
DeleteThanks a lot!
...intense, ripping, & hard hitting Panchali... rape is topic i had never tried put in poetry & you just excel from doing it.. maybe because of the fact that you are a woman makes it more effective to raise this piece & the topic to its grandest essence... the subject is a total gut wrenching... thanks for rising above with the issue... smiles...
ReplyDeleteKelvin, Kudos to you for that wonderful prompt. Have been planning to write about it, ever since it happened..Somehow, I used your prompt to weave in this sensitive topic. And I guess, wonderful idioms gave the finesse it required. I can't thank you enough...
DeleteHappy the poem touched so many hearts.:)
so thought provoking...n sad :(
ReplyDeleteThank you, Naba.
DeleteRape is a very sensitive issue and you have sent the message with the help of your poem beautifully. Along with the peace protest marches, appropriate punishment for the 'criminals' is the need of the hour. No man should ever think of outraging a woman's modesty.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kalpana. I am sure justice will be meted out...and criminals are going to get severely punished. Amen!!Thanks a lot for the feedback my dear... really appreciate it... :))))
DeleteVery thought provoking and inspirational, we need to rise up and do our part.. and do it well!
ReplyDeleteYes, we need to rise up NOW... rape and sexual assault on women are linked to other elements in the social and political structure. I think, this is time kolkatans wake up and take charge!! Thanks a lot, Arti.
DeleteNot only in Bengal, but whole India is teeming with the news of rapes every now and then. Only if our society and men could understand it.
ReplyDeleteSadly, what you say is true! But, the Delhi rape did not only lead to huge protests in Delhi. They even led to huge protests and discussions in Kolkata and elsewhere in India. While, the rape and murder of young women in small mofussil towns hardly received mass spontaneous expression of anger in the past...Remember, the park street victim of Kolkata also didn't get justice!:((
DeleteI am sure, men would understand... sexual violence on women is definitely not legitimate. Thanks Vandana.
Thats an intense one. Its sad to see, one of the safest city has turned into the most unsafest one in just a years time. I hope not only WB but the entire country feels safe in coming years.
ReplyDeleteYes, Namrota. Kolkata used to be the safest city for women in the past. Today, the administration is trying to steer clear, and argueing that it is a stray incident, instead of acknowledging the gravity of the situation. This puts me off...completely!!
DeleteAmen to your prayers.
Hope this is not the end of evolution
ReplyDeleteDeepak..I hope NOT!! But, it is never too late to make amends...!! :)) Thanks so much...
DeleteThis is not problem of only one state or city ...what I feel is ,its global problem . Definitely the intensity of your words will help some...so never loose the hope
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice sentiments expressed by you, Ranjana. Its a global problem...but, Kolkata witnessed a flurry of protests from political and apolitical groups for the first time against the crime that has shaken the state. I am so glad.
DeleteThanks.
Ah! Hope!! I am banking on it too to turn the tables and and with actions becoming louder than words I really hope things change soon!
ReplyDeleteAm keeping my fingers crossed...amen! Thanks Akila...
DeleteVery Powerful Poem Mama........... Yes its getting worse...........
ReplyDeleteIt is...especially in West Bengal....Great having you here too, Lasha. Thank you.
Deleteas a fellow calcuttan I know exactly what you mean.amen.we need to hold on to this rage.
ReplyDeleteAbin, these are the side effect of corruption, bad law and order. I am glad this outrage peaked this time.Yes, we need to hold on to this rage!
DeleteMany thanks..
The words express the angst ... only if we can eradicate this evil from the society !!!
ReplyDeleteI am sure, we can do something collectively..!! Laws have to be strict..and castration should be the punishment for convicted rapist. Terrible things are happening all around. Thanks Amrit.
DeleteIt is a sad thing to happen! One can't help but feel how man can make himself to be a being with no emotional feel for women! Brilliant write Panchali!
ReplyDeleteHank
What a lovely comment, Hank. That's why the radical feminist movement does not say that all men are rapists ...
DeleteYour presence here has thrilled me. Thanks...
strong and intense poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks l'il rat :)))
DeleteI wish you peace! I hope this poem bring peace in spades!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brother Ollie.:))
DeleteExcellent! The world should be screaming!
ReplyDeleteGlad you agree with me, seasideauthor! Thank you...:))
DeleteOnly a woman can write such a poignant poem.
ReplyDeletehttp://imashwini.blogspot.in/2012/12/requiem-for-india-nation.html
Great one..
ReplyDeletestrong and beautiful
ReplyDeletevoices must be raised and heads must roll... emotionally beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOnly stringent punishment to the culprits only will dither the next culprit from committing such heinous act.
ReplyDeleteJust when you thought West Bengal was safe for women. But as long as Mamata Di refuses to accept it as a problem, things will keep getting worse.
ReplyDeleteVehement and heart felt Panchali. Hope the tables turn some day!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sorry state, Panchali and that too when a woman is at the helm of affairs! The worst affront!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a powerful poem and certainly worth of even a greater readership, Panchali...The world is never a better place until all women and children - indeed every person - is safe and respected as a person...It's a great subject you've chosen and love the power you've brought to the subject.
ReplyDeleteTouching and a daring truth !
ReplyDeleteGone are the days when we said "proud to an Indian" with such crimes still not resolved.
Welcome Panchali!
ReplyDeleteSeveral times I read your poem.
It is very beautiful. All your poems are unique.
I cordially greet the Polish far.
Lucia
It is a sad reality but it is important to not lose hope. Beautifully penned. It is time that the intense voices rise up and not die down.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrible state in our country. I loved these lines,
ReplyDelete'Let the echos divulge the terrors of male anarchy
‘Turn the tables,’
I really hope something comes out of this, but I suspect that people are so used to seeing dharnas in Kolkata! :(
ReplyDelete