Rama’s woman, and mine

When you accepted your father’s command
and became an exile in the jungle
she went with you

Till death
she remained true to you
and readily abided by your wish
to prove her purity
through ordeal by fire

Yet you banished her when
she needed you most

Perhaps I pay the price
for your excesses
when my woman
looks me in the eye
and says
she will go to another man
coz I say ‘yes dad’
too often

* * * * *

By Randeep Wadehra

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