Five Poems by Abu Siddik A Mother’s Monologue Yesterday, I gave birth to a girl, Faces around me were blackened, For they pinned hope on a son During my swelling days, Parents, in-laws, close friends, Even my maids were sure of a son’s coming Neighbours looked at my bulging belly. And they were happy for I was going to be A proud mother within a week Nothing that sort followed, A girl was born, And all fell silent The room was the same But it has lost its warmth, Th

A Dark Little Figure Her eyes are the eyes of the old man Who is going to die right now. You can scratch and draw images on her skin, Anaemic, thin limbs— She waits as withered flowers wait for the mowers, A dark little figure in a corner of the park. Her blue sari is covered with a ragged chadar, A pair of Ajanta slippers she wears to lure hungry eyes, Many days she returns home with empty hands, A few days she buys a meal for Munni and her father. She tries first to do this