Single Woman Poem by Umasree Raghunath

Slow, leaden steps take I at close of office,
To delay my return, aimlessly, the streets I roam,
Whats the hurry to enter a house
with my name place on it,
Four walls and a roof don't make it a home
An oppressive weight on my heart settles
for, who is there to please and impress? ?
As I approach the locked unwelcoming door
Wearily, I turn the key in it and
listlessly begin my daily chores

A hastily cooked, unappetizing meal I swallow...
for what is there to be impress?
Old, unattractive clothes, I change into
for whom, I have to dress?

For my cheeks, there are no grubby kisses
for my ears, no lisping songs
for my head, no strong and manly chest
In short, I just do not belong

Worst of all, are the days
when I am in pain or ill
No cool hands, smooths my fevered brow
No one rushes for a pill

The interminably long weekends
and the occasions, joyous festive
I spend walking up and down my room
like a wild animal, caged and restive

What good are joys or for that matter sorrows?
If not shared by your very own?
What pleasures promotions hold
when you have to celebrate all alone?

Loneliness is my only companion
To it by cunning I was wed
It shares my meals, my thoughts and speech
It shared even my lonely bed and peace.

Yes, an independence, an identity I have gained
But, alas, at what terrible cost?
I'd gladly sell my soul to regain
The imprisonment of relationships lost

And I have made myself adjust
with all alone friendship
and I was made a Single Woman

Nothing can give you peace
Except YOURSELF....as a single woman? ! ?