Under A Banyan Tree Poem by SAKTHI RAVICHANDRAN

Under a Banyan tree



In a loud voice

she is shedding the tears of guilt

she is weeping before the crowd



The Chairman declared his verdict

That she is the convict

and has to pay fine for her guilt

against her chastity



None has taken her side:

who can deliver her justice,

to feed her two-month old hungry child

she bartered her chastity



Fifty rupees fine

and barred from the chaste society

Penniless she cried,

none to share her sorrow



The gracious chairman who fined her,

paid her fine and gave the warning

not to stoop so low



With loud claps for him

the gathering melted,

the helping hands of the chairman

pulled her crumpled hips

to his bed room to thrust on her the crime again! !