A Poem For My Daughter Poem by Bharati Nayak

A Poem For My Daughter

Rating: 5.0


No,
I won't read your poems
Sulked my teenage daughter
Why your poems
Tell only of unhappiness
Have you not felt
Our love for you?
Oh Yes
I have seen
How my children protect me
Like a fort
If they see me hurt
Then why I write
Poem after poem
That speaks about rain
I tried to explain
What I write
Is not my story only
I have seen
My mother, sisters and aunts
Wiping their tears
silently by their Anchals
I have seen
Dolly, Milly, Shelly
Whose fathers
Arrange their marriage
On their way to a market
They do not care
If the girls die
By hanging or burning
Some die
Without leaving a trace

My daughter did not agree
Said
You have seen only
Dolly, Mily, Shelly
And girls who had no names
Look at me
I am not one among them
I am Pragyan(Wisdom)
I am Pallabi(leaves)
I am dream
I am light
One day, like Kalpana Chawla
I will soar into space
I will decorate
My ten corners
With colors of
My dreams.

A Poem For My Daughter
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Topic(s) of this poem: daughter,dreams
POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
I have added a picture drawn by my daughter in response to Bri Edward's comment to explain the word -Anchal. 'Anchal' has several meanings as Bri has pointed.out.Anchal also means as the loose end of a Saree, the traditional wear of Indian women.It is intricately designed portion of the Saree and is normally worn in such a manner so as to cover the head as a veil.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Gajanan Mishra 29 April 2017

colors and dreams are there with the girls, let her measure the sky.

2 0 Reply
Bharati Nayak 29 April 2017

Let her measure the sky- - -Thank you for your kind comments.

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Valsa George 14 May 2017

The poem is beautiful....! But more than it, I love the drawing done by your daughter! Lovely! It is always a pleasure to have a daughter that I am not privileged to enjoy! Instead I have two sons.... not old enough to marry and bring a daughter home!

1 0 Reply
Bharati Nayak 14 May 2017

Thank you Madam for appreciation of this poem..I will convey your words to my daughter.

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Nabakishore Dash 21 September 2021

Nice poem depicting frankness of both.

0 0 Reply
Prabir Gayen 01 March 2019

Very beautiful poem.....perfect picture of mother and daughter relationship... A Dreamful life affection...and aspirations...

0 0 Reply
Kumarmani Mahakul 26 November 2018

The daughter urges for joy and not for grief through poetic expression. There is no need to hide face at each moment. Life is cheerful. Tear falls from her eyes but we can make a choice of transformation of grief into happiness. A brilliant and excellent poem is very well penned..Revisiting this poem we feel glad.10

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Akhtar Jawad 28 May 2018

Liked the poem, liked the portrait made by your daughter and liked her thoughts as well.

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Bharati Nayak 28 May 2018

Thank you so much Akhtar Jawadji.You have a very kind heart and so are your words I am deeply obliged.

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Jette Blackstone 18 November 2017

Your daughter is a talented artist! I have only sons, so I really enjoy reading poems about mothers and their daughters and the legacy of women. As a female poet, you've added your voice to the life of women that often is left silent. By being award of the challenges of being a woman, you've raised a strong one with a strong voice. Beautiful writing. Thanks for sharing.

1 0 Reply
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