He walked up to me with a smiling face in
the auto-stand and told me I was such a nice young man.
I smiled at him,
being all of fourteen I used to smile at all.
We went inside the vehicle and talked
about school and sports
Friends and chocolates,
Dreams and and aspirations.
How tender the old gentleman seemed
well-behaved and soft-spoken.
But then came the horror
His hand touched me in the bad place and he
squeezed it like a pressure relieving ball
I froze,
I couldn't move,
So much ran through my mind like a herd of vultures
across a dun sky...
Tears welled up but did not flow,
Angee and shame began to build up within my heart
but my face,
My mouth gave nothing away...
When the autorickshaw stopped I ran out of it
with the old gentleman saying
'Hey kid wait! We should talk more.'
A few drops of tears may well have rolled down
my cheeks and dried in the harsh wind against my face
Souren Mondal
January 10,2016
How deep such unanticipated and abominable behaviour from an elderly man can shock and hurt a boy of just fourteen! The sense of shame and self pity, you have been hiding inside got released and I am sure you feel relieved and many who bear the brunt of sexual abuse also will be comforted knowing that their's is not a singular experience! Hiding the skeleton in the cup board can only disturb you. What cure can we suggest for this kind of mental freaks..... I don't know! Your advice to parents to make the children aware of such abuses is so valid!
No, writing this poem now is not useless, it is very beneficial. First, it takes the skeleton out of the closet, into the world of light which frees you emotionally, consoles those wounded by abuse, and provides a model of what Kelly blow called poignance and bravery. It is never too late to seek release and demand justice. This subject speaks for itself, but there is considerable artistry in the way you handle the experience. Innocence and connivance, openness and manipulation contend; a tentative victory is won, relief is shared. Last week you wrote rapturously about the innocence of children. This week is is the peril children face that you address. Both topics are needed
At that tender age most of the kids they become prey unwarranted and unwillingly. We take them at face value being in our innocence stage. Things have changed now most of the kids are well informed and aware about this now and I am glad with this poem most of the parents will take initiative to let their kids know and how to deal in such awkward situation. Thought provoking poem, as usual.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
We all have such experiences in our lives, thanks to this courageous poet who narrated it. A touching poem.