The Widow, Indian Widow Poem by Bijay Kant Dubey

The widow of India
How was she subjected to
Tyranny and torture,
Not allowed to mix with,
Share the talks loudly
Or smile with,
Nor to dress,
Apply cosmetics?

The widow,
The widow of India
Never allowed to step out,
Go it alone,
Living a secluded,
Forlorn and forsaken life,
The widow,
The widow of India.

The widow,
The widow of India
A poor destitute,
How hopeless and helpless,
The woman,
The poor woman
In a masculine,
Conservative society
Of taboos and restrictions?

To see her face was inauspicious,
When go you out,
She is but a witch,
She not allowed to re-marry,
Even forbidden to wear red clothes,
Eat red coloured sweets
As such was our society,
As such our social institutions
Making them hapless even after being.