The Burning Bride (Poem)
by Airyn Lentija | July 15, 2010 at 2:55 PM
The Burning Bride
Its been a winding journey
for me…
I watch the waves of golden lights
flicker…burn…
Could
this
be
hell?
I fall down…
Aching memories starts to reel…
…..Visions…..
I saw my father and I,
treading moments of love,
discovering the naked field
filled with mango trees on bloom.
I saw my mother and I,
drawn to the shimmering wonders
of the golden heart-shape fruits
ready to harvest.
…my wedding…
every women’s dream,
the greatest event in my life-
bonding kinship
and enormous resources…
the hall,
the ceremony,
the feast…
I saw my groom and I
making every wishes to the stars,
never letting go of the love we’ve found.
Love…
I thought i had found the greatest story it will ever told.
Only now that I realize…
It was only I who loved….
I am here lying,
wrapped in a kerosene soaked sari.
The burning cloth on my skin
sends tons of pains to my bones.
My husband watches me from afar
Is he thinking of my pain too?
Or only my price tag that isn’t enough for him…..
All i can feel is pain, pain and more pain….
The love of my husband is measurable,
equivalent to a price tag….
and mine is not enough…..
Finally,
my journey is over…
the mountain of flame blasts and takes away my last breath
Out my ashes lives a memory…
An ill-fated burning bride’s tragedy…
waiting to be told.
The Burning Bride—© Airyn R. Lentija 2010
(This poem was published in Human Rigths and Culture-an e-pubication of the Asian Human Rights Commission)
Comments
i never know about this tradition...
But now i know. I told my friends in Belarus and my husband about women and girls of india. Thank you for the poem.
Я твайго не вазьму, я свайго не аддам! - I shall not take your, i shall not give my.
THANK YOU:)
thank you too and you are welcome :)
Airyn Lentija-Sloan
http://airynspoetry.blospot.com
This flows beautifully. Each
This flows beautifully. Each line carried me tenderly to the next. I heard the voice of a hopeful, young girl filled with the bliss and innocence of childhood wonder, wanting to transfer those moments of happiness into a lifetime of love with another who ends up not valuing her at all, beyond her price.
I seek to understand, always.
I question for truth, eternally.
I believe women will not be free anywhere, until they are free everywhere. Until the price tags are removed and they are valued as queens with or without prices involved.
Love to you,
Mei Li
"...our compassion is the practice of unconditioning." Jakusho Kwong Roshi