Pathivrata

Oh! This gash on my cheek and swollen eye?

Yes, he beat me again yesterday, you do know why

It’s always the same, he’s either drunk or dry

Yes, we, did marry for love!

I was seventeen - I was his world

All day we lay tangled, coiled snakes we were

He could have me whenever he wanted

He toiled hard to keep me well

But when the children came everything fell

There was much bickering and he took to drink

He grew lax at work and finally stopped working

You wonder why I don’t have him arrested?

Don’t you know what happens when manhood is insulted?

The neighbour’s wife, she was brave enough to try

Now she lies buried, under the dirt in the pig sty

Our bed is cold- most nights he is knocked out cold

But I am a true wife, I do fancy others but guard my chastity

No, he did not beat me for being unfaithful

God, I would have loved him if he was so moral!

He asked me to go out and find him money

Solicit seedy men in a dark alley

Wear jasmine, cheap lipstick and court abuse

He says, a good wife always funds the booze

Would you lend me some money so I could stall?

Explore escape avenues before I take the fall?

Desperation opens new doors they say -maybe a god would pity me today

I would happily take my life - but can’t sacrifice my children in this strife

If someday you find me all decked up in the street, do look the other way

But, if you hear I lie dead in a ditch would you promise to take my children away?