Satyawati -01 Poem by Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon

Satyawati -01

Rating: 5.0


The Violation

It was getting dark
And Sage Parasaran had just left
Having sated of my body
The whole of which ached.

I was stark naked; My clothes
Lay by my side in shreds
How many times he violated me
I had lost count.

It was no longer my body
I looked at it and shuddered
As if seeing it for the first time,
I felt impure.

I wished to hide from myself
And from the whole world.

I wanted to reach home!

Home? How do I face father!
Immobilized by pain and fear
Tears flowed down my face
Like Yamuna in Shrawan.

How do I reach home until dark
My clothes in just shreds
And body visibly bruised
From his lustful attack.


The day had begun
As pleasant as any other
Father asked me to man the ferry
Until he was back from fishing.

I had my first customer
A sage with graying beard
'I'm Parasaran' he said
'Take me to the other bank'.

His eyes on the curves of my body
My clothes too little to cover it.
Though I was just twelve
I was used to ogling eyes.

'Matsyagandhi' he called me;
Of course, I stank of fish.
I lived fish and I breathed fish
For I was a fisherwoman.

From his eyes fondling my body
His hands took over.
My protests were of no avail;
He was much stronger.


He guided the boat to an isle
In the middle of Yamuna
Uninhabited,
But rich in flora and fauna.

He tore my clothes into shreds
Forced upon me and tore me apart
Repeatedly, not allowing me to have
Even a drop of water.

My cries nobody heard in the wild
Of the isolated little island.

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
This story is from the great epic, Mahabharat.Satyawati is the great grand mother of the Pandavas and Kauravas.The story is about, how she, born in a fisherman's hut rose in power to be the queen mother.Vocabulary: 1) Matsyagandhi: a woman smelling of fish2) Yamuna: River Yamuna, a tributary to Holy River Ganga, flowing through Delhi (erstwhile Hastinapura is supposedly close to Delhi) .3) Shrawan: The month of Shrawan (mentioned as'Sawan' now) , when it rains heavily in the North India, and of course, the rivers are full.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Susan Williams 18 October 2017

You have described that poor child's reaction to the horror done to her very well... which is to say, my soul cringed deep inside me and my heart broke for that innocent child and my wrath grew with each word till I want that beast captured and destroyed and I'm usually such a mild and meek person. A stunning write and I have been waiting so long for your gorgeous rich tapestries in these remarkable poetic epics. 10 thousand 10s. And a fav listing. .

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Unnikrishnan E S 18 October 2017

Hi Susie, Thank you for reading this poem and deeply obliged for writing the comments. This first part of the story was not easy to write at all. I had made up my mind that this is what I was going to write. But words refused to take shape; for many days. It was a penance for very long. Then, when it started flowing, I completed the first part, may be, in 15 minutes. And then I posted it on ph, without reading. But when I start to read it, my heart misses a few beats... is this written by me? ? ? ! ! ! I have a shiver through my spine. Susie, immensely grateful to you for prompting to share the experience with the readers... Your appreciation make my day! ! Obliged. And a trillion thanks for the ten thousand tens..

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Rebecca Navarre 20 November 2017

Ever So Very Heart Felt! ! ! ! ! I am Ever So Grateful You Are Sharing This Here With Us! ! ! ! ! I Had Not Heard Of It... Very Heart Touching And Powerful! ! ! ! ! Can't Put No Numbers.....That....

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Unnikrishnan E S 21 November 2017

Thank you Becca. Kindly read through the entire story.. I am yet to complete it. But, shall try to, asap.. Obliged!

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Richard Wlodarski 13 July 2024

2) That memory was painful enough, but after reading your poem, I found out that her mother had died just last year of a broken heart. Despite my great sadness, I commend you on this outstanding piece of writing.

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Richard Wlodarski 13 July 2024

Poet Menon, this heart-wrenching poem was extremely difficult for me to read. Many years ago, I was involved in organizing benefit concerts for Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. It was all in memory of Kayla Klaudusz. She was a three old who had been raped and murdered by one of her neighbours.

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Sandra Feldman 11 July 2024

So visually perfect, it rips the soul as we encounter man's inhumanity and the savage cruelty of men that are worse than animals. An unforgettable and painful tragedy put into words that can forever be remembered

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Reverred Poet Olga Tinina writes " how scary the world is, where there is pain and suffering, how vulnerable a little man is; it's easy to mock him! your poems make me think; your poems are very different for me and it's amazing! " Thank you Olga. Obliged

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Jeanette Telusma 24 November 2017

What a story.... one so real among many women around the world. As time would allow, I plan to continue to read. Keep it up. You've been busy writing, I see! ! 100++++

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Unnikrishnan E S 24 November 2017

Hi Jeanette, Thank you for visiting my page. Please find time read the series and favour me with your feedback.I look forward to your words! !

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READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon

Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon

PUTHENCHIRA, KERALA, INDIA
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