Ahalya
Why does her husband
feel different, tonight
with passions galore?
The stony gaze has given way
to the roving admiration.
The embrace is warm and comforting
as sitting by a bonfire.
The silken eager touch so different
from the ennui of a bored lover.
The sweet nothings he whispers tonight
are nothing like the hitherto silent rituals.
Who, then stands at the door, with ashen face,
When he loves her so??
The fury of the Rishi
knew no bounds
as he eyed both.
While the defiled wife cringed with horror,
Her beguiler tried to flee.
Covering her nakedness,
Ahalya stammered to explain.
Silenced as she turned to stone
and cursed to remain so.
Summers baked, winters froze
And rains washed her rigid self
as she stood rooted
to the very same spot.
Who did her greater harm
Her stony self wondered.
Was it the shape shifter
Who gave her the night of bliss
Or her lord of many wedded years
Whose rage made her Still.
- Neha Bansal
- Neha Bansal
Wow it is awesome......don't have any words to say anything abt it. It seems as if this is exactly how Ahalya must have felt during those years when she was waiting to be revived...... Very good poem.
ReplyDeletethank u, so much. Your appreciation means a lot to me...
DeleteThe question at the end is so pertinent...keep writing, Neha. Your words have a spark.
ReplyDeleteThank u, sir. Regards
Deletebeautiful interpretation of our old puranas and epics.
ReplyDeleteThank u, sir. Regards
DeleteFor those who can decipher, you are asking a question timeless as time itself... While some may see various mythological references and metaphors here, for me it is the question itself which is of essence - asked veiled for the uninitiated yet tantalizingly stark in its vividity for the discerning
ReplyDeleteYes...and even more important is that while 2 men violate her...why should the 3rd man revive her..i wish it were sita and not rama who revived her...and definitely not with "feet"
DeleteWords sometimes are not enough to express the extent and intensity of appreciation oneone feels. I shall only say, its the most original and heartfelt account one could ever write. Had Ahilya been alive she would have kissed your hands...
ReplyDeletethank u so much :)
ReplyDeleteim grateful for ur kind words.. love
Bringing alive such sensibilities, this is magic with words. Sensitive depiction of mythology realistically indeed.
ReplyDeleteThank u prof balu prakash... 😊
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Neha. A truly feminist poem and such balanced and subtle narrative .
ReplyDeleteThank u so much, neha. Coming from u it's a great compliment.. love
ReplyDeleteThe silencing of the female voice comes out so well in this. Truly beautiful
ReplyDeletethank u for patient reading and kind comments :)
DeleteTruly beautiful, ma'm
ReplyDeleteThank u :-)
ReplyDeletePoetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular.
ReplyDeleteVery nice mam ☺️
Thanks archit :-)
ReplyDeletea powerful portrayal of a wronged woman who suffers at the hands of men.
ReplyDeleteThx 🙏
Delete