Poetry: Radhika Dodain

Radhika Dodain

Rape behind the Varmala

My doppelganger across the mirror asked me again

how long the cosmetic powder will hide the stains?

the bruises on my neck

screams a romantic tale

tale of love, passion

and devotion is what strangers say

but who gave the license to yet another stranger

To mount his force as an act of play

When I was thrown in this game that I was forced to abide

downstairs is the road to my husband's pride

"It’s your duty" my mother silently lied 

The truth is I gave my vagina in my marriage last night.

***

BROWN

I was born in red but apparently, I was covered in brown

The brown my grandmother wasn't very pleased about.

The same colour of mud when it rains loud

The same colour of chocolates that everyone likes without a doubt

But then doubt arises for the colour brown

When it covers my skin 

Many questions surround

She's not pretty, She's not fair

No one will marry someone so dark and dare.

But my mother says its a lie

They are just trying to hide 

The beauty which lies

 in the colour of ground

The harmony that my brown surrounds

Cause I might have come from red but I was still covered in brown

***

VOCIFEROUS WHISPERS

I screamed NO..I screamed that I'm a child

but that hand didn't stop to save innocence or life

They laughed..I cried.

I cried ..They laughed

again and again without a pause

Help please, I tried to appease

I gulped I lied...

I pled I begged but nothing sufficed

1,2, 3...3,2,1 times I was scratched, smothered, tethered alive

burnt my skin first and my soul next time

third came but I forgot the fourth time 

by fifth I almost lost my right to think to breath or to stay alive

was left with nothing but a tattered body to cover for life

***

MY HOUSE SCREAMS YOUR NAME

I once bought a strange stranger to my door

the door of my sweet scented home

the home couldn’t recognize him

him and his distinctive odor

in and out, out and in

it went on for quite long

then one odd day

the door started opening for him on its own

little by little his aroma fragmented the house

the house which adapted his presence long ago..

It started in the fireroom

when the flames had cooled down

echoing his warmth and whisperings around

questioning , whose heartbeat was actually more loud?

Oh! I still can’t forget

how u mixed salt with pepper

and we both laughed so loud

in that quick little second I took a glance

at that enchanting smile

I’m addicted to now.

candle lights

slow talking midnights

those bewitching flirty vibes

savoring every part of my mind

my whole garden has become empty now

all the cherry blossoms have already fallen for his dark brown eyes

Now walking inside my dressing room

makes me realize

how my mirror shows reflection of you

combing my dark curly hair

and talking about your day outside.

He shined brighter than sunshine

He called me his moonlight

but as Laufey said 

the sun’s engaged to the sky

we too had to say goodbye.

Once a not so strange stranger left my door

the door of my bitter scented home

the home couldn’t forget him

him and his distinctive odor

now it doesn’t let anyone inside

its still captivated by his sweet scented lies

I once bought a stranger in my house

and now my house screams his name out loud. 

***

Bio: Radhika Dodain, a 19-year-old poetess, is deeply passionate about narrative

poetry, open mics, and storytelling. Each of her poems invites readers into a

new dimension. Her work has been featured in Setu Bilingual and various

school magazines.

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Setu, October 2024