We Women Poem by viren dangwal

are a basin filled with blood
seeping into the corners of the house

we are the swollen eyelids
the desire to be loved
even while cutting vegetables
keeping an eye upon our children in the park like ghosts

we are the ears listening for the door
even in sleep
the humiliation that arises
on our opening the door
with dishevelled hair and faded faces

we are the deer of yearning

in the meadows of forbidden dreams
let us leap freely, you villains.

Translator: Ashok Pande