Betrothal Poem by santhana louis

BETROTHAL

She is in wild shivers
as a bunch of new faces are due to arrive
to get her betrothed with
someone - of whom she knows nothing

The society around her is supreme
enacts and approves such gambling
binding the hearts on, bids and bargains
expensive contracts - and they call them ‘marriage'

In silk sarees with all your ornaments on
with suppressed feelings and limited smiling
as a ‘central object', advised to keep your mouth shut
exchange of ‘tambools' -
you are sold out to a new world unknown

she becomes ‘unattached' - an earmarked commodity;
and her movements are restrained, loss of freedom
as an ‘hypothecated stock' she remains under parents
with exclusive rights passed on to the other side barons

If she is earning, she has to keep the whole packet aside
and if she has tooth ache, she cannot get it pulled, as she liked
If by a freak accident, she has bruised her little finger
her ‘destined owner' should inspect and ratify all physical damage

Dear bride;
it is not the correct sign
that you are being loved so much
and please do not likewise be misled
that you are going to be cared by them till the far end

high dramas, leading you through a colour-full panorama
Into the stage of deceit and trauma
we have no method to test-pick a honest groom -
among the black sheep sporting the role of ‘mahatma'


Louis Santhana