‘He looks like you,’ whispered my grandmother,
When the nurse handed me to my father.
A tear escaped his eyes in joy,
When he learnt, I was a boy.
He played with me every day,
‘Love you loads, son,’ he would say.
But things changed when I turned eight,
My identity, my father began to hate.
For I loved dressing like a girl,
Frocks and thick tresses with many a curl.
He hurled abuses now and then,
Wrath, my mother had to bear it yet again.
I trembled like a leaf and cried,
And, often, looked out for a place to hide.
Am I not a part of you, my birth giver?
Questions, I raised, clutching a frame of my father.
I wanted him to stand by my side,
And truly wished I was his pride.
But alas, I now wish in the womb I had died,
At least I wouldn’t have faced these hateful eyes.
________________________________
Connect with Penmancy:
________________________________
Penmancy gets a small share of every purchase you make through these links, and every little helps us continue bringing you the reads you love!
She writes poems in English and Hindi. Some of her poems and articles are published in the Book Speak Your Mind, You are my Valentine, The Road Taken, Hat tip, The teacher I will never forget, Yes boss, Life on track and Lockdown Diaries. She has contributed to many other anthologies which are in the pipeline. She also writes for YourQuote.com. Her poems are deeply appreciated on Social Media. She also writes for the Asian Literary Society group and has received many certificates for the same. She received 2nd prize for her story “Doctor's Prescription” in the Annual wordsmith award 2021, organized by Asian Literary Society. She won 2nd prize for her poem “Never be defeated” and 3rd prize for her article “Ways to Happiness”. Organized by Impish Lass Publishing House.
She loves to listen to music and watch comedy shows/theatre. She can be contacted on shelshri@yahoo.co.in
- The Mysterious Dance of Love - 24 Sep 2023
- My Granny Often Said - 16 Sep 2023
- Guilt – My Companion - 11 Sep 2023