Bruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 25. Corn Picker I only know how to lose But never to gain again My womanhood an affliction. I gather troubles at every step As each heaves himself up To his palanquin By stepping over my head. I am Soopanakha Who ensured Rama stayed monogamous The queen Prameela […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 24. Mother Curry You’re the consumers of Ghee-mixed food, my lords. Till now, none has taught us, Sirs, That food has caste And gruel, religion. I swear on my mother In our abject poverty It was this curry, Sirs, That saved our race From hunger pangs And filled […]
Continue Reading
Bruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 23. Love at Chennai Though my visits to Madras Maybe just once in a blue moon To run some errand― yet An unknown blood bond Makes the town always my own, Walks me through, holding my hand! Madras metropolis Is a splendid pot of hot food Catering to […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 22. The Sacrifice A perennial sacrifice On the sacrifice pillar Who made This being stand thus? Frightened Just like me. Breathless The heart stifled I am startled By the bullet on my plate When I sit down to eat. Once again The Bhagavat Gita1chases me With a lathi […]
Continue ReadingBruised, but not Broken (poems) -Challapalli Swarooparani 21. Bruised Childhood Whenever I read of a pleasing pretty childhood Complete with teeny-weeny fluffy frocks Chubby cheeks My childhood ― A book of tables bereft of pages and Pressed down in an old trunk box ― Stretches out its leafy hands to be turned into poetry. If […]
Continue Reading
