When I visited the Andaman islands,
I met an interesting young woman,
She was selling sea shells at the sea shore.
I was attracted to the pearls and semi-precious stones
That hung attractively in her shop -
A thatched hut lined on the shore of
Kala Pathar beach in Havelock Island.
The plump young woman
With a charming rounded face brightened up,
When I stepped into her little endearing shop.
I am attracted to jewellery, specially
Rustic and tribal jewellery
That gives an earthy look,
Fragrance of the mother earth,
A feel of the ocean and the mountains!
I flashed a smile at this woman.
She smiled back, though looking a bit surprised.
At once, a rapport was born between us,
A relationship established,
An unnamed bond of purity like the pearls.
This is a beautiful beach famed as the Kalapathar beach,
A long beach that is spotted with black patches,
Spread and interspersed with several black rocks,
Distinctly visible like a design in this pristine island.
The Islands have a tropical climate,
It begins to rain any time.So it did! .
In that drizzling coolness of the beach
With numerous trees around swaying their branches,
I felt joyful
And in a mood to chat!
I asked the woman dressed in a log gown
What her name was?
She said ‘Tapori'.
That sounded very enchanting!
Like the pink, blue, green and black gems.
As I was looking at the various stone necklaces,
Tapori began to talk and I listened.
She said her life is a sad tale.
She was married at a young age
To a handsome boy from her community.
Her husband was keen on education,
And not remain as a labourer or an Island hand.
Tapori decided to help her husband.
She worked hard and spent all her earnings
On her husband's education.
He studied well and completed his graduation.
But while he studied, many new things happened.
He met a beautiful and an educated girl
And fell in love with this girl.
As Tapori reached this point of her story,
Tears started trickling down her eyes.
I was so moved that I felt a lump in my throat.
She let go of her husband with this pretty girl.
She was all alone now,
Struggling to meet both ends meet.
I felt so bad,
I just picked thousand rupees from my wallet
And placed it in her hands.
She was overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, my daughter Radhika, was calling me to get back.
I hurriedly clicked a picture of Tapori, with her cute little stall.
As I walked back, Tapori came running,
Handed me a small bundle of
Stone necklaces, earrings and shells.
I stopped to click a picture of hers.
She gave a bright smile through her tears as she bid me goodbye.
I returned to my loving daughter and my husband.
The whole day, I was thinking of Tapori,
A great woman of sacrifice, love and compassion.
Life is indeed hard and unfair, I hope she will find the happiness that she so deserves. Such is the reality of life, but the strong will persevere. Thanks for sharing your moving poem.
Such a lovely poem ma'am. There is so much apathy towards the plight of such women. Most women are just taken for granted and the world assumes that this is the only role that befits them. Nobody bothers to understand her dreams and aspirations unless she fights for it. Chandini portrays every such woman who is unable to rise above her domestic drudgery. Thank you for writing such a beautiful and empathic poem.
A sample story from the cheated striving women's life.... touching yet admirable....you have presented it very well...an interesting write....thank you Geeta...thanks for all your comments and support....God bless you
Though I couldn't visit the the shore of Kala Pathar beach in Havelock Island practically yet I visited the shop of pearls and semi-precious stones belong to Tapori through your poem. Going through the inscription I knew the sad story of Tapori, a special woman of Havelock Island, which is touchingly and impressively painted by you with nice dictions. Thank u dear Dr. Geeta madam for sharing this travelling poem.
The story of Tapori is touching and the poetess has described it in very impressive manner., a beautiful poem.
A beautiful poem! Loved the expression! The line, 'An unnamed bond of purity like the pearls' is just immaculate! Thanks for sharing dear madam....10
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
A great tribute to Tapori..10
Thank you Rini. You are an angel.