This poem underscores the lives led by many a woman in India. Many traditions believe that cats lead nine lives. And the title is an analogy to the fact that cats survive life threatening situations in a very natural manner. Just like it’s a way of life for these women too…

Nine Lives

As tender as her age
still on life’s first page,
“freedom” the song she sings
with dreams that have broken wings;
with breeze caressing her hair
her chained legs trying to make the run –
she just died a death unsung.

Immense pain, but no tears;
death to endure, but no fears,
her childhood lost in murk,
of grief there is no dearth;
watches her brothers play
and in futility finds her fun –
she just died a death unsung.

Made to tie the knot
whilst her friends play with dolls,
vapors from the simmering broth
burn the desires within her cloth,
she bosoms her family
and cools her house with dung –
she just died a death unsung.

He’s as old as her daddy,
has eight sons and a daughter
who till his fields of paddy,
lying lifeless on his wrinkled hide –
her lashes fight the raging tides;
she’s shot her soul without a gun –
she just died a death unsung.

Daughter looks just like her,
but she’s slayed for a son as heir,
the stars don’t shine in her skies;
she’s died more than a million lives,
yet with enormous pride on her face
she looks up through her veil, so young –
a song of life, still a death unsung.