A Letter From A Daughter To Her Mom Poem by Shankaran Kutty

Oh Mother of mine, please do not cry
I am quite happy here you see
Joy abound, no tears to shed
Like an angel they take care of me

I still remember that special day
When I dressed up as a young bride
Though your eyes were filled on my departing
They still shone through with pride

And as to my new home I departed
You know I had not cried
I turned my face, and to hold my tears
Do you know how much I tried

With my right foot I stepped inside
What was to be my new home
But Mother, little did I know
That it was a lull before the storm

You told me my husband is my Lord
I shouldn't leave him alone
And his parents, I should shower with love
Just like they were my own

But they didn't want me mom
They only wanted dad's money
I told them he gave everything he had
And now he hadn't any

My Lord, he beat me with iron rods
Till I screamed in pain
But I knew it will make you so sad
So I never did complain

His mother would drag me by the hair
And slap me on my face
Would scream and shout that to their family
I was nothing but a disgrace

I would fall at her feet each day
And to spare me would I plead
But if walls had ears they would have heard
But she, she wouldn't heed

Perhaps I should have told you mom
Or at least hinted to dad
But I knew I couldn't for if I did
It would make you both so sad

But I still wasn't any rude to them, Mom
I would greet each day with a smile
For you had taught me to be nice to them
Even if they were vile

I was the brave girl you wanted me to be
For I never cried, even in pain
Each day I rose, with fresh new hope
Though I knew it was in vain

I erupted with joy, the day I knew
A life was growing in me
I remember your laughter when you knew
That a Mom I was going to be

But from the torture I went through
I found there was no respite
It all came to a close one dark
And moonless rainy night

When I came to know it was a girl
Boundless was my joy
But both him and his mother fumed in terror
For they always wanted a boy

My 'Lord' he kicked me on my womb
I crouched in a corner in fear
I was brave, so be happy Mom
That I still did not shed a tear.

I did not cry when in intense pain
I lay writhing on the kitchen floor
I did not cry, when kerosene
Over my head, they did pour

My charred remains, few unburnt bones
At least, did they allow you to see
They covered me in that dark green sari
Last birthday, you had bought for me

But now I am fine, so much at peace
There is no terror, no pain
So all those tears you shed for me
Has not gone in vain

Here flows only rivers of joy
Each one of us is a shining star
So keep smiling Mom, for you should know
That I am watching you from far