Anastasia Poem by Sutapa Chaudhuri

however you might trample me
I will rise again.
untouched, unloved, unheeded-
defined, deified, dismembered
bone from bone, enslaved in eternal bonds;
raped, ravished, rescued in false gallantry,
till every atom of my self is broken down;
branded, cremated, burnt at stake
I will rise again.

mother, angel, witch, sati,
devoted daughter, devi or rakshashi-
out of my ashes regenerated,
I will rise again.
my charred corpse, phoenix like
will block out mighty sun,
the centre of your universe-
wings spread, making sweet music
ruthlessly light up your funeral pyre
cold ashes scattered to the wind
acrid smell of flesh burning-
your world, your cosy nest of spices
strangled, choked up in eternal glee;
amidst the carnival of death
I will rise again.

*Anastasia means I will rise again