Trigger Warning!
hollowed faith, bruised self-esteem
scars hidden underneath the seams
night resounds with silent screams
aborted dreams, aborted dreams
fractured by lustful invasion
modesty lies among treason
why victims are pinned as reason
unfold questions, unfold questions
drenched in shame, locked in guilty vault
she bears down his ruthless assault
seeking answers to, “What’s my fault”
when life will halt, when life will halt
I wrote this poem 14 years ago – What’s my fault , as a result of a horrific SA case I read about in the news which left a deep mark on me, and since then, I’ve followed many similar stories that fill me with anger and despair. Last week, I read the top 10 most brutal cases in India, starting with Aruna Shanbaug’s. The overwhelming sense of hopelessness and disappointment I felt is beyond words.
The recent assault and murder of a bright young doctor brought all those feelings rushing back. As women, these events trigger a collective pain. Once, I had hoped that things would change, but after a decade, that hope has faded. It feels as though women will never truly be safe.
Poetry Form: Monotetra