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Questions So

by NuggehalliPankaja
(Bangalore, India)

“Did I hear you rant
And storm out
Cursing the report, Mom!
My very dear Mom?
If so, why so, Mom?

Did I hear you
Tell Dad outright
That you have no time
To waste
over a girl—a mere girl!
Dear Mom?
If so, why so, Mom?

“My womb, it’s meant only for boys!”
Hear I that wail still
Tearing apart,
The serene tranquil
Folds of nest cosy
Formed by you…….
Precious security rent,
Shuddered I with fright,
At what may be befall……..

Tell me, where would you be,
If your Mom had thought likewise?
If your grandmother, if all the
Great great grandmothers
Had emptied their wombs
As you are planning to do,
Without REMORSE?

Murder not my future,
Mom!
Erase not my morrows
Ere they dawn!
Snip not my genes,
Wreaths of your genes,
My very own Mom!

Bemoans the foetus
Bewildered………….
Questioning—“Tell me,
Tell me what my fault
To throw me so
Out of your womb-
My rightful place
As yours was
In Your Mother’s . . .
Mom?

*******

Note from the Author: Present day apathy towards birth of girls and the steps taken to murder the fetus prompted me to pen this poem.

Comments for Questions So

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Jul 11, 2013
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Thanks
by: nuggehallipankajas

Malini, very nicely worded comment.Thank you. You have the writer's flair.Your name sounds familiar.Do I know you? If not,glad to make your acquaintance.

Jul 11, 2013
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Poignant
by: Malini

Dear Pankaja aunty, Your poem deals with an issue that we 'think' is not true any more for this day and age but we are suddenly and brutally reminded that it is still a reality in many strata of society. I love your 1st person confrontational treatment ... if only every fetus headed for this fate could find this voice! Poignant and tough; tender but thought-provoking.

Jun 17, 2013
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Thanks
by: nuggehallipankaja

Kiran, You are right; More than one daughter is not tolerated even in many Urban families. They don't
realize daughters can be an asset if educated.

Jun 17, 2013
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Unwanted girl
by: Kiran Jhamb

Especially second daughter - have seen more in the case of urban, educated and working women - they are deaf. Hope your poem reaches them.

Jun 05, 2013
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Thanks
by: nuggehallipankaja

Thank you very much Parimala. You write poetry so well;As such, a compliment by you imparts wonderful feeling!

Jun 05, 2013
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Touching and enlighting
by: Parimala Rao

Dear Pankaja,
Your poem not only touches the heart but also grinds the inlellect to think and to act.congrats for creating an atmosphere of social awareness through your poetry.

May 31, 2013
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Thanks
by: nuggehallipankaja

Thanks for the very nice compliments. It has
boosted my ego!

May 31, 2013
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versatile
by: vimala ramu

I really appreciate your versatility and social consciousness.

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