Confessions Of Urmila 13 - Ayodhya Poem by Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon

The palaces of Ayodhya were different
from those of Mithila in architecture,
for their structural robustness and aesthetics
as for utility and convenience;

the zenana in Queen Sumitra's palace
richer with musicians and dancers galore;
the zenana I had to share with Mandavi,
for, Shatrughna was Lakshman's twin.

But, Lakshman was nowhere to be seen
as he spent days with Ram, I moved to
Queen Kausalya's palace, in the anthapuram
the entire activities revolved around Sita;
hailed as the queen-to-be, she commanded
love and respect of all including Kausalya.

I felt at home, under my sister's wings again;
the queen too welcomed me to her palace,
waxed eloquent of my knowledge ‘nd intelligence:
soon I was the subject of all attention.