I Am Bound
I
am bound to you
since
my birth
for
another six births.
I
am bound to you
by
the pink dupatta
that
was tied to your waist
and
the pallav *2
of my sari
when
we circled the holy fire
not
once, but times seven.....
I
am bound to you
by
the children you gave
but
say that they came
from
heaven.
I
am bound to you by
the
threshold of this house,
the
walls the ceilings
for
they say you are my spouse.
I
am bound to you by
parents,
sisters and brothers
rest
of them and the neighbours.
I
am bound to you
by
customs and traditions
that
form my inhibitions
just
by a thought
"oh
what would they say"
if
I had my way....
I
am bound to you
just
like the moon is to the earth
it
has to rise each night
strange
but true...
the
rotis *5
that I cook for you
bind
me too.
I
am bound to you
since
my this birth
for
another seven
my piece of heaven......
~Vinita Ganesh~
For those unfamiliar with some Hindi words
used here and the customs of
India
the poetess would like to add for better understanding:
1. Dupatta: long piece of cloth
2 Pallav: one end of the sari
3 Sari:
traditional Indian dress
4 Roti: round Indian bread
*. An Indian Hindu wedding is not complete without the bride
and the groom circling the holy fire 7 times.