October 2021 - Page 2

The distress signals the 24/7 newsfeed daily brings us Of rapes, molestations, harassment at workplace, domestic violence, eve-teasing, dowry-oriented bride burnings, female foeticides, sexual abuse, trafficking, child marriages, enforced prostitution, incantation of a ‘word’ terminating relationships made in heaven blackmail and

‘How did you like the film?’ asked Isha. The morning assembly had just ended; now, the students were filing in queues to their respective classrooms. Isha was right ahead of Prapti in their class queue. Isha’s question made her replay the entire

sHE, Her limbs drawn in patterns Knitted from his egoist Hands, Zigzag, Yet demanded to be Flawless. Remarks of ancestral womanhood Slit her breasts into two, One for Him and other For His child. Clutched, pressed, sucked, What’s left for her More

Did you know that Karma reads all your thoughts? Karma was always watching me vigorously, always beside me. The greyhound sleeping on the doormat will always see through your heart. I couldn’t hide from the glance of the bearded black

White paper don’t stare at me Never crumple you, I guarantee Don’t fly away, When the breeze sways Stay on the old oak desk Tip of the quill is not fake Quill of pain Need you more than I The

Ernie is another one of those characters that I knew over the years here in Frederick. It happened that he was stuck in New York City during his teenage years on a trip from his native Europe when World War One broke

The Espresso Bar in Graphite pencil art by Anthony Gartmond, New Jersey, USA All dressed and out. High heels tick-ticking between hide, membrane, and cloth, barely touching, just hinting. So were the shades and lights, and the froths in the cups

A gold shell portrayal of 1830, Clasps firmly on all motile days, The oozing watercolours of time, And History. In it: A look behind the curtain, Clarifies to the vision, An era of feisty patriarchy, And tempestuous wars. In it: An intimately

Lately, I’ve been thinking about my Korean upbringing. One defining word always comes to mind.Duty; Expectation; Tradition; For the family name. Okay, so I guess more than one word pops up. But my fellow Asians get it. From an early age, my

working mom when will papa learn to part my hair right …. rearranging itself around me patriarchy …. cancelled engagement was I wrong in asking to keep my maiden name …. arranged marriage an aunt hands me fairness cream …. arranged