Poonam’s poem is about the hope of a woman waiting for her husband on a railway platform. An exclusive for Different Truths.
During my novice years in job I had to go through, Frequent provincial relocations, Away from family and friends I loved observing people, Their surroundings, culture, traditions So, the local railway platform Became my favourite hangout For late evenings. On one such small station I noticed a young woman, Combing her hair, looking into the mirror tucked along with a faded wet towel, in the grill of a channel gate of a narrow passageway...for the Railway staff. Her bag, bed roll, tiffin, water bottle and glass. Were neatly placed against the wall. I visited the station often, Saw her sleeping, sitting, singing… With a stray dog curled at a little distance… A tea vendor narrated her plight, She belonged to Rohingya refugee family, Who virtually got her married to a Rohingya man in Malaysia. The man demanded amount transferred online to his account… For buying tickets to take his wife along. Since then, for seventeen months, She has been waiting on this platform, where he promised to come. Her family moved, she refused to go… No, she has no mental issues The vendor assured. After eleven months, I got transferred again... From the same platform, I boarded the train. As the train moved... I saw the woman at the exit gate, Anxiously looking at each passenger, Who alighted from the train. My train caught speed I reclined on my seat... Closed my eyes – contemplating... Which is more distressing – Complete darkness...or Beacon of hope?
Visual by Different Truths
Poonam Chawla Sood is a bilingual Indian author and translator known for her published work in various journals and anthologies across the globe. She is the founder chairperson of Gulzar Sahitya Samiti (established 1998). She has published two poetry collections in Hindi, one poetry collection in
English and two translations. She has received many national awards. She is regularly broadcast on All India Radio, Ayodhya. Two of her books are in the process of publication.
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