Dr. Roopali speaks about mythical women and the big bad world with its many myths, in this poem, exclusively for Different Truths.

Eve Mother of mankind,
God’s favourite child
with her eyes full of mirth
destined to rule the Earth.
They say her sinful sight
made the honeyed apple behold
shining like mammon’s Gold.

The slimy Serpent smiled
when the beautiful Eve he spied
In God’s kingdom wide.
The wily creature watched
as with pleasure she cried
tasting the forbidden fruit
guided by the satanic brute.

The Tree of Knowledge
showered its flowers
filling Eden’s fragrant bowers.
A dazzling new heaven
opened its door
a banished Eve
stepped into the mighty world.

Atlanta the fleet footed huntress
worshipper of Artemis
powerful daughter of God Minya

strong and swift
raised by a bear
a woman indeed so rare.
To keep her vow of virginity
to preserve her female sovereignty
she ran the race
and lost her magic pace.

Dropping golden apples
In her path
Blinding gold like the Sun
crazed with love
deceitful Melanion
the invincible race he won. 
A boon from Aphrodite
To set afire
a woman’s hidden desire.

Losing the race
The huntress fell from grace
the winner winning her to be his mate.
Killer of the Calydonian boar
Atlanta let passion soak
the Temple floor.
Cursed morphed into a fierce lion.
She stepped into the mighty world.
This great big world of experience and knowledge.

Visuals by Different Truths

Dr. Roopali Sircar Gaur

Dr. Roopali Sircar Gaur is a poet, travel writer, and social justice activist. A former professor of English Literature at Delhi University, and a creative writing professor at IGNOU, she is a widely published academic and creative writer. Her book Twice Colonised: Women in African Literature, is a seminal text on women’s socio-political empowerment. In 2020-21, she co-edited two poetry anthologies – In All the Spaces: Diverse Voices in Global Women’s Poetry, and Earth Fire Water Wind.

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