Matchmaking

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Parents frantic, seek a match

people applaud as a good catch,

squeamish about qualifications essential

probing if incomes are substantial.

Essential is a job quite decent,

 with no stage in life quiescent

height and weight just perfect

complexion that doesn't deject.

Family name, fame and wealth,

education, hobbies and health

supersede matters of the heart

for a secure married life to start.

With the essentials in place

man and woman see face to face,

the best of them they showcase

lest they fall behind in the race.

In lightning speed vows are made

elaborate plans are then laid;

a game of luck has just begun

hope it turns out to be some fun.

P.S: This poem is written in lighter vein about the Arranged Marriage Market in India. It is in no way intended to hurt any one’s feelings. The debate over Arranged vs Love marriages is never ending. It works differently for different people. Ultimately all that matters is one’s happiness in life. Happy Holi!

Written for the prompt "Essential" at B-A-R
 Linking to http://www.writetribe.com/write-tribe-pro-blogger-challenge/

The Scarlet Prophecy

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She smeared vermilion along the thin line of scalp that gleamed, furrowing backwards from her forehead.  Her long wet tresses sought refuge within the spirals of her towel wound carefully into a bun at the nape of her neck. She plucked the safety pin lodged between her teeth and secured the obedient pleats of her starched cotton sari, slipped on a few red bangles that chorused in ecstasy at her touch and bridged her brows with a red dot. Her eyes shaped like a lotus petal, were lined with black kohl that smudged at the corners, adding to her charm.

It had been their wedding the previous day and this was her first day in her new home.  She looked at herself in the mirror, surprised at how a ring on her finger and a new mark on her forehead could turn her world upside down. In her naiveté she had consented without second thoughts, to tie the knot with someone she barely knew. She had known no other options. This was what all the women in her family had done and they were all happy, at least that was what they told her.  As she gently touched her reflection, she felt something was amiss but could not settle on what it was. Was it her innocence? Her dreams? Desires? Or was it the twinkle of hope in her and the smile on her lips that was missing?

Memories of her nuptial night which by now had swollen into a tidal wave, lashed uncontrollably across her eyes, spilling over its kohl rimmed beauty. Her shyness, exaggerated by her excitement over blossoming love and anxiety about first impressions, were soon replaced by shock, pain and fear. She remembered with deep remorse the way he ate into her spirit like a savage animal caring the least about the tenderness within her that he was butchering.

This was least expected, not the kind of romance she had seen in movies or heard from her friends. In her mind she begged him to stop but her thoughts refused to form words; when they did, they tied themselves into a stubborn knot at her throat. With a bruised body and a heart pierced by the shards of her shattered dreams, she waited for sunrise. She hoped against hope that the rays of the new day would brighten up her life as well.

Wiping her tears, she walked across to the window and watched her surroundings burst into a riot of colours with a green backdrop. The garden was still moist from the early morning dew that adorned the leaves, grass and cobwebs. They glistened in the morning sun like precious jewels. Her eyes searched for the lone hibiscus that had blushed along with her when she stood at the threshold of the house as a bride. Draped like her in the hues of a bride, the blossom awaited with nectar in her heart, the touch of a hovering bee. She had imagined only hours before, that its scarlet petals prophesied the consummation of her marriage like the vermilion on her forehead. But today it lay shrivelled, devoid of colour on the damp earth.

Linking to http://www.writetribe.com/write-tribe-pro-blogger-challenge/

The Alliance

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“She’s getting too old!”

Pushpa aunty told.

“Better get her a mate

To escape ill-fate.

Let me help you here

With a boy so dear

We’re looking every where

For a pretty girl who’s fair.

Educated but homely

For our son so lonely.”

“You just saved us,

See what she does,

My daughter well-read

Says, marriage she won’t tread.

It’s a world she dreads

Being tied down by threads.”

“Oh! These girls so educated

Seem so agitated

Don’t they need a man

To give them all they can?

My son is just perfect

Same caste, same sect

Has a big fat pocket

Enough to buy a rocket.

Lucky, your princess

We expect so less

Just some cash and a car

You needn't go too far!

About jewels I won’t talk

As I know you’d have stock

From the day you had a girl

It’s been part of your world.”

“Thank you Pushpa, I feel so bright

To me the match looks all right

We have saved some money

For our dear little Honey

She’s ambitious and smart

Bright head and soft heart.

She…..

“That really doesn't matter

Girls’ dreams do shatter

It’s nothing very new

Mine did too.

In time she’ll be expert

At cleaning away dirt

Taking care of us

Without any fuss

Cooking up dishes

Will be something she wishes

Serving guests well

So that our hearts swell.”

“Pushpa, take it cool

For I ain't a fool

To give my daughter away

Go elsewhere to bray

I sure for you will pray

To get a girl one day.”

And my daughter, let her fly

The sky so high

Let her find her love

Who fits like hand in glove.”