Little Gudiya Poem by Siri Atluri

Little Gudiya was glimmering all over today
And wearing many bangles tinkling,
With a beautiful red sari and
All around her was happy chatter
For it was Gudiya's marriage.

Her once sparkling eyes were now dull and distant
She no longer was the perky talented kid
All her dreams were shattered
Like a glass piece thrown
She was now being given away
To a 60-year old who had lots of money

Her parents should have been her beacon of hope
But it was them who threw her into this hell called marriage
Granted, she was scorned, her brothers adored
Since she was a girl and a misery to them
But it was her own family

Her parents were enraged when she protested
Her father screamed, "you are nothing but a burden to us."
Her mother, "you have been born as a girl so now we should
Borrow money for your dowry."
Thus sat the little bride at her wedding,
Tears spilling down her powdered cheeks'
All her dreams gone,
Future looming dark and bleak.