Nirbhaya...India's Daughter

Nirbhaya India's Daughter

Her light floats on the waters
Unwavering. ..
Refusing to be squelched
Even though
Strong winds blow.

Thirteen days of
Ageless endurance
After one night
Without end.

Flowers on the waterfront
Girdle  her flamenco dance
Softer than childhood fables
Of fulfillment...

She never knew them.
Running on water softly...
Her footsteps tread
The breaking floor
Of my restless
Heart.

When  Lord...when?

Even though
Never more alive

Extinguished in brutal pain...
Her life rages
In my brain
Brandishing torturous
torches...

Her memory her sweet simple name
Running on softly like
Subdued incense
Through my veins...
Such searing
Light.

Ashamed...
I cannot carry her.
Too heavy
The load
The burden of her
Screaming breath.

Banshees wail
In the mind's rain...

My lack of courage
My coursing fears
Frozen
Like fraudulent tears

Like a deer
Caught in the
Headlights
Was she...
Open to
Hunters out for
Game.

The skin on my
Back
Tender bristled
Whiplashes...
She had no
Cover.

She was born
Boon to her
Parents.
Not to cry
But to comfort
Create a
Safe haven...

Heaven had forsaken
Decency
When she was brought
Down to her knees
Unwary morsel.

She was a temple
Refusing desecration
Splinters of her dauntless soul
Suffering
Alive in every woman.

She is.
She is courage.

Nirbhaya...though her soul
Rest in peace I pray

May she never rest
In our hearts.
Never more
Again.

All rights reserved
(c) Amrita Valan 2015