Dowry Poem by MAHBUBA SHAMA

They have burned my body together
Like a carcass I screamed I panicked
Still my in-laws heard nothing
As if I am a lifeless candle
Used and totally extinguished

Once I was a smiling sweet soothing sensuous softie
Chosen to marry for my height and fair skin
Now this body is soaring in acute pain
The kerosene on it was utterly unbearable

My mother-in-law held my hands tight with a rope
Father-in-law was also tying my legs
My dearest husband put flammable on me
When I pleaded in front of them to save me
All yelled- you have not given your dowry.

50 thousand was already given along with jewellaries
Still the hunger for wealth is inordinate
They couldn't resist when another girl wanted to give more money than me.

It is a moment of sheer injustice for me
Only poverty took away my life
If I had enough riches, my marriage would have worked triumphantly.

90 percent burned I was
My full body was in soaring agony
Tears rolled down my face
I faced utmost grievance

I died- the demise of humanity
The rise of materialism rules the world.