The Deity

Her world collapsed all too sudden. The ground she stood wobbled below. Her dreams crashed down like pack of cards Death robbed the man, she wed days before No more a bride in dazzling silk. Never shall she be bedecked- In brocades, jewels or gems. Never her hand, be held in love. No more shall she be the former Rajput bride Now a widow shunned and abhorred by men With tonsured head, so ugly to view Cursed and doomed in the eyes of all. A stigma, scorned and borne in shame A defenseless bird with clipped wings, Destined to languish within a cage Never shall she see again the outer world. Fore warned to keep out even from the kindred folk. Alas! She preferred Death to Life Gave her consent, free of pressure, To immolate herself in blazing fire! Be another Sita to walk through fire x x x x x x Blank she stared at the crowd in front, Gathered to witness an awful scene They were at her bridal feast. They partook merrily of the gala feast. With goblets held in raised hands, They had wished her all bliss in life. The same crowd remained in hushed lull, With suspense pounding their hearts quicker, Eager to see the drama - Act by Act, Having watched the prelude to that tragic tale. The High Priest performed his trite rites, With incantations breaking the silence still. The air around smelt of incense burnt. And curls of smoke shot up to the sky Like a statue carved from rock Dumb she remained, she hardly stirred Her legs were bound to a log of wood Her hands, held tight behind her back Before she knew what was next, They pushed her down to the funeral pyre. The flames of fire leaped above And sucked her out with greedy tongues x x x x x x The crowd disbursed with slogans loud They rejoiced over a new Deity made!