Metaphor Poem by Saugata Chakraborty

In India, a lot of importance is attached with the sacrifices made by the wife and the mother in order to ensure a vibrant family life. This is often symbolised by a tree which selflessly provides shelter and food to the visiting fauna. The idea that the women should always make tis sacrifice is so entrenched in the minds of now middle-aged ladies, that when a group of twenty were asked during a workshop on gender sensitivity to draw a picture that describes themselves, fifteen came up with the picture of a blooming tree, while only one lady drew something different and unique, probably to speak what she has considered to be unspeakable throughout her life.