A Miserable Truth — World Poetry Day!

Before I begin, a belated Happy World Poetry Day to each one of you! I know I’m late, but better late than never! On this eventful occasion, I would like to bring the following miserable topic out of the darkness. Let’s discuss about it once you’ve read the poem. I’d really want to know what you think about this particular tragedy surrounding us, which (talking for myself) has been an elephant in the room all my life.

A Miserable Truth

I’m hungry.
Feed me with life.

I’m dying.
Save my bleeding heart with your own.

I’m lost.
Search for me in the depths of your soul.

I’m suffering.
Kill me now & free me soon.

I’m done.
The word dignity has lost it’s worth.

I’m helpless.
There’s nothing I could’ve done to change time’s course.

I’m struggling.
The grip of death around my neck, chokes me.

I’m regretful.
If only I hadn’t left my toes off the ground, I’d change my fate.

I’m hazed.
The world has turned red, just like the sheets of my bed.

I’m screaming.
Although the screams don’t leave me, reminding me of the ones he muffled.

I’m impure.
Yet who would explain it to those people who say, “He’s your husband.”

I’m abandoned.
Not by his savagery, but by the ignorance that on-lookers’ eyes hold.

I’m infinite.
Now, only a minuscule digit added to the ever increasing number of marital rapes.

Post Script:

Marital Rape has been around our society since a long time, however, it is only recently that we’ve recognized how much harm can it cause to a person’s well-being and state of mind. I believe one of the reasons why it is hurtful to see the number of victims raising, is because a marital rape isn’t the sole thing that a person is put up against. It comes laced with the hurtful spikes of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Somehow, I feel responsible for this. I feel responsible for not being loud enough in supporting those victims to speak up.
As a human, it is our duty to help them but what have we done? Slammed the door of hope on them when they tried to seek haven from their dear friends. If the ones trusted by them do not support their stand then how would they find the courage to register a complaint?

Coming to India, I would like to quote Section 375 and Section 376:

Section 375, the provision of rape in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), has echoing very archaic sentiments, mentioned as its exception clause- “Sexual intercourse by  man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape.” Section 376 of IPC provides punishment for rape. According to the section, the rapist should be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than 7 years but which may extend to life or for a term extending up to 10 years and shall also be liable to fine unless the woman raped is his own wife, and is not under 12 years of age, in which case, he shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 2 years with fine or with both.

Source: Marital Rape and the Indian legal scenario

It’s funny how a man can only be charged if he rapes his wife who is under the age of 12! Contradicting it’s own code, we are well aware that the legal age of marriage for a girl is 18 years of age. At this point, I’m truly clueless.

That’s why, all I ask of you, is to understand the depth of the scars we cannot see on the bodies of people around us.
All I ask of you, is to help such people when in need and be the reason someone finds their courage. I’m nobody. But together we might be somebody’s reason to be alive. That’s all I hope to achieve and to see the numbers reduce.

Have a great week! Thank you for making it so far!

© The Honest Fabler — Ashutosh Gursale
© Image Source — Google Images