Is it me?
The sounds of the hospital where many a baby cry,
Sat the recently wed man and his lovely bride shy,
Soon to be parents, no bounds to their joy,
Mother watching me, on the screen enjoy,
He wanted a boy, alas, he could only abide by,
From him an unhappy gasp, from her a contented sigh
Her fingers on the ultrasound, “Beautiful, isn’t she?”
I wonder, is he the one miserable, or maybe, is it me?
Brother plays with a plane, I ask to share,
Turning a deaf ear to me, he takes it to the air,
Sobbing I run to Father, he asks ‘Why do you care..
Why don’t you play with Barbie and braid her hair’,
Mother stands afar, gazing mutely somewhere,
I dream, wish and pray for once, that life be fair,
Even at this tender age, as I am all of three,
I wonder, is he the one unjust, or maybe, is it me?
‘Mother, I want to be a pilot’, I happily announced
‘Did I hear you right or you just mispronounced’,
Father slapped me hard and all but pounced
‘You’ll do as I say or I’ll have you renounced,
How could you even think you could have denounced’,
Brother jumped into the fray, and I was severely trounced,
‘You will have to marry, how dare you disagree’, says he,
I wonder, is he the one unreasonable, or maybe, is it me?
Armed with dreams of love and understanding,
I marry into a family of Father’s choosing,
Wondering if its an end or a new beginning,
I see the continuance of my old self, always abiding
A whole new generation, yet behavior unchanging
He too wants a son, his attitude ever demanding
‘Girls and dogs not allowed’ sounds like his decree,
I wonder, is he the one overpowering, or maybe, is it me?
The sounds of the hospital where many a baby cry,
I shoot looks of despair at my husband, the bad guy,
Conspiring with the doctor, as I meet his eye
‘I told you, if a girl, you’ll have to bid goodbye’
Teardrops run down my cheeks, I choke and wish to die
From me an unhappy gasp, from him a contented sigh
With the passing of time, no longer exists she,
I wonder, is the whole world heartless, or maybe, is it me?
Note: On Mother’s Day, this is my first feeble attempt at fictional poetry – because every mother is born a girl. Written in response to a writeup suggestion on the topic “Is it me?” by a fellow blogger BK at WriteupCafe.com and in support of Save a Girl Child. I would love to wish all mothers a very happy Mother’s Day except – every day is your day. Love you Mom!
I would love to hear your views!
Sat the recently wed man and his lovely bride shy,
Soon to be parents, no bounds to their joy,
Mother watching me, on the screen enjoy,
He wanted a boy, alas, he could only abide by,
From him an unhappy gasp, from her a contented sigh
Her fingers on the ultrasound, “Beautiful, isn’t she?”
I wonder, is he the one miserable, or maybe, is it me?
Brother plays with a plane, I ask to share,
Turning a deaf ear to me, he takes it to the air,
Sobbing I run to Father, he asks ‘Why do you care..
Why don’t you play with Barbie and braid her hair’,
Mother stands afar, gazing mutely somewhere,
I dream, wish and pray for once, that life be fair,
Even at this tender age, as I am all of three,
I wonder, is he the one unjust, or maybe, is it me?
‘Mother, I want to be a pilot’, I happily announced
‘Did I hear you right or you just mispronounced’,
Father slapped me hard and all but pounced
‘You’ll do as I say or I’ll have you renounced,
How could you even think you could have denounced’,
Brother jumped into the fray, and I was severely trounced,
‘You will have to marry, how dare you disagree’, says he,
I wonder, is he the one unreasonable, or maybe, is it me?
Armed with dreams of love and understanding,
I marry into a family of Father’s choosing,
Wondering if its an end or a new beginning,
I see the continuance of my old self, always abiding
A whole new generation, yet behavior unchanging
He too wants a son, his attitude ever demanding
‘Girls and dogs not allowed’ sounds like his decree,
I wonder, is he the one overpowering, or maybe, is it me?
The sounds of the hospital where many a baby cry,
I shoot looks of despair at my husband, the bad guy,
Conspiring with the doctor, as I meet his eye
‘I told you, if a girl, you’ll have to bid goodbye’
Teardrops run down my cheeks, I choke and wish to die
From me an unhappy gasp, from him a contented sigh
With the passing of time, no longer exists she,
I wonder, is the whole world heartless, or maybe, is it me?
Note: On Mother’s Day, this is my first feeble attempt at fictional poetry – because every mother is born a girl. Written in response to a writeup suggestion on the topic “Is it me?” by a fellow blogger BK at WriteupCafe.com and in support of Save a Girl Child. I would love to wish all mothers a very happy Mother’s Day except – every day is your day. Love you Mom!
I would love to hear your views!
Maybe I should try again! Your words are encouraging 🙂 Thank you!
I don't know how I missed responding to this. Thank you Dagny!!! 🙂
Do this more often Deepa. How I wish I could write poetry.
I dont really understand poetry. I know if I like something though I cant give reasons for it.
I liked this very much.
Dagny
Thank you Anu Aunty!
very touchin…. nicely written…. happy writin n keep up ur gud work….
Thank you Sakshi. The whole topic does strike a deep chord within us.
It definitely succeeded in your attempt..it was very moving!!
Thank you Neha!
Beautiful 🙂
Am definitely grateful, glad you liked it!
Thank you Bhavana! Kind words 🙂
Thank you USP. I do know and salute you for your thoughts on this subject! 🙂
Thank you Uma. That is very sweet of you. Its so inspiring when someone comes across a post due to a fellow blogger's popularity. All the more reason to thank Rachna too! 🙂 She's a wonderful blogger herself. And, am so glad you liked it! Do keep visiting!
Thanks Cartic! Unless you count clue couplets put together for Treasure Hunt as poetry, this is truly the first 🙂
Thank you Aparna 🙂 Hopefully someday some more 🙂
Thanks Horizon 🙂 One more avenue explored. Though I dont think I have it in me to hang around here much longer 🙂 Maybe someday!
Wonderfully written Deepa. Loved it!
Beautiful one Deepo… Loved it 🙂 N yea keep writing… if this is first attempt then cant help but look fwd for more n more to come.
That was wonderful! That didn't seem like a first attempt at poetry. Way to go!
Wonderfully penned, Deepa! Loved it :-))
came here via Rachna's.
I appreciate the beauty of your work. You know my feelings on the subject already.
Very nice, Deepa and a fine attempt!!!!
Wonderful attempt … really …
Thanks Rachna! 🙂
Thank you Jaish! Very sweet of you!
LOL, Thank you BK 🙂 Good writeup suggestion, set me thinking!
Honored. Taking a bow! Congratulations on your new found bundle of joy! Loved his welcome home poetry! You write so much poetry, I can never do that!
I agree. I just wish they have the courage and the will to stand up for their rights and against injustice. A lot of women's rights feminists would blame men but I think its up to the lady too to stand up for herself. Sure sometimes circumstances might not make it easy or even possible for them to do so, but if a mother raises her daughter teaching her to stay inferior and subservient for life, she's already doomed.
Like they say – Be the change that you wish to be in the world.
To all mothers!
Thank you Indu. I dont see myself writing more poetry soon but who knows, maybe someday!
Thanks Amruta 🙂
Thank you Diwakar!
Thank you Subhorup, though I do think that poetry is not my cup of tea. I have read some beautiful ones that people have put together, they strike a chord deep within. I really admire those guys. Its not easy.
Very nice, Deepa!
I loved it…Very nice….
Thats too good for a first attempt..you should get some best debut award for this.. 🙂
Keep rhyming..you have a good knack for it..
I salute you..
That was really touching.
I just wish Mothers everywhere have the courage to say 'no' when they must.
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers. 🙂
Excellent Deepa-so touching & not at all a feeble first attempt.
Beautifully put Deepa!!!
great ghazal…first attempt and so fine, unbelievable !!
very nicely written, and very touching. no one will tell that it is a first ballad attempt. joining you to wish all moms a great mother's day every day.