Wilted Flowers

By Vidhya Aiyer

She romped all-day

In a meadow

Full of bright flowers

And soft green grass

Without a care in the world

She played in the woods

Without a thought of tomorrow

Tinkling anklets

Swaying earrings

She was dressed in silken fabrics

Of the highest kind

Lived in the lap of luxury

Without a cause to worry

Waited upon by people

Prepping her for life ahead

She was trained to

Be the perfect wife

Days passed

She never entered adolescence

When she was bartered off

To leave her childhood behind

And take up adulthood

Even before she was in her teens

Thrust into a world

She had no idea of

Being with people unheard of

She was petrified without respite

To become a daughter in law

Overnight

Stuck in responsibility unknown

With the seeds of life pre sown

She had her wings clipped

As the sun dipped

To be the perfect one

For the One chosen for her

Expected to do the wifely duties

And she was just a baby

With no idea how to be

She lived wondering why

Time passed

And she was lost in

Learning to be an adult

Reconciled with her fate

Forged with a friendship

With her mate

Found a way to co-exist

And twist her fate

To soar like the eagle

And glide like a swan

She wanted to pave her path

To set her goals apart

Till tragedy struck her

Without warning

She was widowed

At the tender of ten

She was thrust into a dark place

Where new rules were put in place

Her wings barely grew and

Was cut down

She was shaved

And told to wear white

Said this kept her pure

She wondered why

She has to be pure

For she was never dirty

From the centre

She was sent to a corner

She was told her life

Revolves around them

She turned to be a slave

Of the traditions

That told her

She can never be gay

Smile was a lost treasure

And happiness was

A distant dream

Sent to the banks of the holy river

She was told to pray

And meditate

Resistance and confusion

Was the first emotion

Till they broke her spirit

Food was denied

They said it raised her emotions high

Said she can't have a bed

For her feelings will get to her head

Made to sleep on the hard floor

Till her back got sore

She cried herself to sleep

Thinking about her life

Wondering when she will

See the light

Of her future shine bright

Floated without a rudder

She traveled without a destination

Till she met with a sage

Wise beyond his age

Told her to calm her mind

Said you will find

Your destined path

Listen to the sounds around you

They want you to sing their tune

Taking his words to heart

She became engrossed

In her set task

Of putting her soul in music

She transformed into

An ethereal being

With no sense of her belonging

Amalgamated with the

True self

She was happy

When she became herself!!

By Vidhya Aiyer