Gagged- Of a period and a pooja

By Sudha Nair

Gagged: Smile, hide your eyes!

You choose white, I choose crimson;

Together, we bleed.

An ocean of salt,

hugged tight, kissed quiet. Squeeze out, writhe,

bubble up, ooze out, Burst….

River flow out, go free.

Lava burn black, soften down.

Air be light. Breathe. Deep.

Gagged- Of a period and a pooja – Shame

Gagged me, lost your voice.

Eyes closed, you won’t see.

Hear no sobs of agony.

Light is mine, dark, yours.

Burn in the pain of turmoil.

Now you see, hear, speak.

Confused, you bargain.

I am right. No wrong. I did.

Love peace. Killed a soul.

O Blind one, Deaf-Mute!

O most holy sage do you dare?

Cry, fall at my feet!

Vengeance is mine,

mercy too. I set you free.

Your feet are heavy.

You want to feel light.

But not my mercy you want;

it is yours. Pure hell.

Too late, ‘Tis too late!

Repent at leisure,

an eternity of sin…

Gagged- Of a period and a pooja – Worship

Is my blood red enough??

This dull maroon

on the first day of my period;

old blood finally making its way

down. Is it red enough?

Or do you prefer it the gushing red

That never stops, that runs like a waterfall

On xxxl heavy duty pads that overflows

and stains

Everything: my panties, my underskirt, my sari.

The chair,

covering it with a shroud of shame,

and disgust and pity.

Cut me a thirst, a gleeful carving out of my womb and stop

it all.

So that I can be the efficient robot.

No breaks in my devotion to my lord.

Or do you want the rusted red of

the last few days?

Sometimes there, sometimes not a drop.

Heaving a sigh that it’s almost done,

a faint reminder that I am human.

Is it red enough for you??

By Sudha Nair