#Me too

Wrapping the thread around the banyan tree
I questioned myself why should I?
Would I want this husband seven times over
I stopped and looked up
From the ancient banyan tree
Came feeble voices from mythology
#me too
Seduced by the cunning Indra
Cursed by the aged Gautama
Muted in stony silence
Lay innocent Ahalya
Whimpering #me too

Abducted by Ravana
Passed through fire to prove her innocence
Doubted by the washerman
Abandoned by Rama
Forced to be a single parent
Cried Sita #me too.

Married to a womanizer
Unable to bear Ravana’s roving eyes
On the less beautiful Sita
Upon Ravana’s death
She was to become Vibhishana’s
Mutely Mandodari wept #me too

Once the wife of Wali
Then asked to marry Sugriva
No one took her consent
Tears rolling Tara said #me too

Born out of the fire
But unwittingly married to five
Dragged to the court
When already bleeding
Disrobed in public
Five husbands none to help
Enraged Draupadi screamed
#me too
Seduced Ahalya
Abandoned Sita
Shunned Mandodari
Pawned Tara
Raped Draupadi

All five glorified as
Panchakanyas
Just remembering them
Destroys greatest of sins
But who is to give them justice
In unison the muffled
Voices said #me too
#me too.

VineetaGejji