The test

After a myriad rituals 

and post nuptial games 

that the marriage party 

makes you play to determine 

Who will dominate the conjugal

life of the groom and bride. 

You may win if you must but never

let him not look like a fool. 

After all the women in neighbourhood 

comment on the dowry on display 

and check out the golden complexion 

and the child bearing hips of the bride,

They will bless you most brazenly 

to bring them a grandson

in nine months time. 

You will be then pushed to a 

room strewn with Jasmine flowers. 

Here you wait timidly with 

warm cardamom milk for your master. 

You must look down as he lifts the veil 

and tremble like a leaf at each touch. 

You have to mock protest his advances 

But softly give in to his brutish demands. 

You bear the pain like 

a good girl that you are 

and dream of the children 

that you would so make.  

With the first ray of sun 

as you get ready for the day, 

the besmirched white sheets 

would be inspected minutely

by the experienced eyes. 

-Neha Bansal