Listen to the Victim's Tales
-Akshita Taneja, B.A(hons)- Sociology, Jesus and Mary College
My eyes are blindfolded black,
My ears are shut with your cold hands.
My tongue is tied,
My words are dying inside.
This is a constant tale of suffering,
Are you listening?
When you told me not to go outside at night,
To cover everything on my body, because "the bugs will bite."
You told me to never laugh aloud,
To never stand outside the crowd,
To always sit with my legs closed,
And my eyes low.
I was trying to tell you to stop,
To not tell me how to live, how to walk, how to talk.
My emotions were crippling,
Were you listening?
I covered my body with heavy drapes;
Tried not to smile, hid my face.
The eyes still stared,
As if I was still bare.
All over, I was stiffening.
Were you listening?
I went to work everyday,
My hard work was supposed to pay.
But the hands which signed the cheque,
They touched me with no respect.
I said no, but they spoke over me,
Explored me when I didn't want to be.
I tried to scream and tell you,
Of the lies and sins in ties and suits.
But the doubts were deafening.
Were you listening?
I heard voices everyday, everywhere,
My character in question, my virtue in despair.
I shut myself behind doors.
Cut myself, cried, shouted but of course,
I came out with a smile;
To be beautiful again in your eyes.
But my skin was burning and grieving,
Were you listening?
I wore the red attire,
And circled the fire.
With hope in my eyes,
I said goodbyes.
But the prince you found me?
Only my body, he could see.
I was loved...
The way I didn't want to be loved.
My voice was caged inside,
By the numerous rules I had to abide.
So my tears screamed, shrilling.
Were you listening?
I continue to stand, glossing over my past.
A cheerful face, but my soul aghast.
My scars burn and my hands shake;
But it's okay, they say it's fate.
I'll continue to smile and say nothing.
Because even though I tried,
You were never listening.
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