An evocative poem by Neelam about how women deal with neglect and abuse, exclusively for Different Truths.

I am so sorry –
I am very forgetful!

I forgot the hurt
That you gave me last summer-
It fell off like the leaves do
In the autumn season
And fresh leaves grew once again!

I forgot the way
You snubbed me last time
And called me names-
I erased them from my memory
Like the unwanted poems from diary!

I forgot the wounds
That you pierced on my soul,
I burnt my soul in the furnace of time
Till it shone like diamond
And was pristine once again!

Every time it burns in the heat of May,
The earth rejuvenates itself
With a petrichor in the month of June,
And I too keep invigorating my essence
Whenever you impair my existence…

I may have forgotten your actions,
But your karma shall remind you of it
Again and again and again –
Leaving everything to the karma of life
I keep forgetting things!

Picture design Anumita Roy