A woman-centric poem about the difficulties, by Parvathy, exclusively for Different Truths.

Die once, as a brave fighter
and live too alike a fighter
yet more times you are given
enough and more chances
to cowardice your conscience.
 
They take less mercy
to censure your conduct
a time, code of conduct
is the citizens responsibility
that the society thrust upon you.
 
The stones they throw
to kill you, the endless tortures
mental assaults are they,
at times turns physical violence,
to kill the woman in you.
 
Who would understand the pain
you have gone through, when
they have done those intentionally
to bury you deep down, as never
you should sprout back.
 
Aren’t you not, the living example
of survival?
Aren't you not, the living example
of the desire to live and let live?
Aren't you not, the perfect example of
determination and resilience?
When your roots are yet deep rooted and
the progeny watches you from far.
 
Yes, she is the living and ruling repertoire
of a woman, who believes
the world belongs to her too
still when vultures howl around
to tear her flesh and mind
but she would die just once and not more.

Visual for Different Truths

Parvathy Ramachandran

Parvathy Ramachandran is a writer and an academician. She started her career as a teacher at Al Noor International School, Bahrain, before she joined TKMM College, Nangiyarkulangara as Assistant Professor of English. She has also served Sree Narayana College for Women, Kollam. Parvathy’s fields of interest include poetry, short fiction, Transcultural studies, Gender studies, etc. She has presented papers national and international seminars. She published her debut anthology of poems, Late Night Lantern