Daijiworld Magazine, Vol.12, Issue 4, September 2020

DAIJIWORLD Magazine | September 2020 27
but changed for the worse as I slogged away.
This sagging stomach was a blessed womb
for our lovely kids;
my nails are chipped
from scrubbing all day long.
She spoke her heart out -
said she could have been sleek
If he had taken time off his work
to help out once a week.
Her fingernails could grow again;
her colourless lips could glow again;
if only he would show he cared
And share her joy and pain.
She then quietly reminded him
that she was once his spine
when her own back was hurt and bent
she cheered aloud; made him feel fine.
She recalled days when
they stood staring at the night sky
while he made promises now unfulfilled
and told her lie after lie after lie….
She said, Alas! It is too late now, I have
to announce my decision to set me free
To discover the real ME. To live life to the fullest
While all along “I ONLY EXISTED”.
Saying this she stood up with a sigh
of relief and of pity, and walked away
while he sat there speechless
numbly aware that he had lost something priceless.
Edited by Geralyn Pinto.
By Sonal lobo
The poet and writer is based in
Bangalore