Mumtaz N K
#Poattic-7
In bits and pieces I exist.
My excellence is attributed to a parent,
My attitude to another parental house
At the base of my cup of existence
Lie dregs of doubt. A muddy mixture
Of miscegenation, races, time and breed.
I wonder who I am? Probably, just another lineage
Line drawn, tacked with inheritances of gain
Or loss. Two names, two identities….
****
My name gets attached with two houses
As if it were a carriage on the railway track.
My fame, taken by one; am I no more
Than a curious list of physicalities, attributes,
Emotions and mentalities? And thus I continue
To trudge on, until I see, I’m not the same
Society intended to make me: there are cracks,
Crevices, and fissures in me. Like a in a giant tree
These are filled by beings, who are growing with me.
From the mould that constrained, I’ve broken free.
*****
Now I seek others like me, who have also been broken
Filled with strength and courage to break free.
No more encaged be- step out of mundanity.
No more brackets, I’d rather the untamed furze be.
And bits and pieces cement to witness kaleidoscopic beauty
The winged bird has taught me to soar in glee
The sea – in breaking to find symphony
The swollen river that swallows many entities,
Whispered into my ears: “Fear not, I merge into
The roaring sea, which salinates my waters.
And then journeys, plunging itself into the seven seas.”
****
© Mumtaz N Khorakiwala
8-3-2021
Picture courtesy: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/may/27/dido-belle-enigmatic-painting-that-inspired-a-movie
Miscegenation: inter- racial marriage, bi-racial child
Awesome
Thank you, I’d posted my first draft by mistake.
Mumtaz, you poetry touches the soul.
Indeed, two names get attached to us and this hurts.
If you posted your first draft by mistake, you can still make changes by clicking the edit button on your post, my dear.
This is edited, Natasha. My dear we touch each other’s soul. My tone is meant to be laconic, I hope it sounds so.
Beautiful poem Mumtaz
Thank you Ketki, I trust there is the littlest bit of Superwoman in this!
So very beautiful Mumtaz…touches the soul
A wonderful analogy, Mumtaz! A river that carries the character of each soil she traverses! Beautiful!
Powerful expression
The two names part, to date I feel hurt because my maiden is changed after marriage
Thank you very much for your appreciation Sai and Pradnya. Identity and belonging are key areas in Woman’s Studies. I had written an Urdu poem
Ek hissa zameen ka mera bhi ho khuda,
Such a heart touching and powerful poem, Mumtaz. 💚Every woman can relate to it.
Yes, Moonmoon Chowdhury, thank you.
Touching Mumtaz… The plight expressed very well… Nice analogy…
Thank you Kirti.
This is so beautifully expressed
Thank you dear Sonali.
This is a magnificent creation. Beautiful poem 💚 loved the different stages of womanhood you’ve depicted so beautifully, in a subtle underlying way – good enough to pierce through my heart.
Awesome poem
Thank you Nitika and Indrani.
In search of an identity. Powerful words!
Thank you Sarita. In fact women of all ages go through the throes of belonging.