Frozen Harlequins

April 25, 2021

 

Crouching on the silent snow

Touching the concealed grass below

With fingers numbed and stiffened from

Encounters with the frosty death, 

The women lift their vacant eyes

To a mountain eagle in lonely skies, 

Each a frozen mannequin 

Sculpted form of harlequin; 

Fingers bent as if to gnaw

The snow in search of buried dreams.

Or is it a quest for life beneath 

By history and traditions bequeathed,

Beyond the pristine cruel snow –

A possibility of redemption.

The mountain eagle’s lonesome might 

Transfused into frozen flight

Of daring fancies, proud ambitions

Of defiant women cursed and frozen –

New life for Sodom and Gomorrah.*

 

*Sodom and Gomorrah are cities mentioned in Bible [Book of Genesis], Quran and Hadith. They were comparable to the Garden of Eden but were consumed by brimstone by divine curse and signify impenitent sin, their fall a manifestation of divine retribution. Biblical sources explain that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for their sin, egoism and vanity.

 

Piku Chowdhury

Dr Piku Chowdhury teaches in a post-graduate Govt. aided college in India. She also serves as a Research guide, Editor, Author, painter, translator, singer, poet, photographer, and mental health facilitator.

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