A usual practice in India-"Dowry". Laws and education have not helped much in eradication of this unjust system.
There she sits, eyeing her toe-nail
They say she must not look in the eye
Her fingers drawing circles on her skirt
As she rests under the autumn sky.
The Winds that play a little game
Go flying by her eye
Upset her hair, disturb her shawl
She blushes, for she is shy.
The savories and the glasses of water
Spread out atop the charpoy
Fanning them from time to time
Mother dispels the occasional fly.
The Lady comes and holds her hand
Her face well-set, eyebrows held high
'Walk', she says, 'for we must see',
'If you have a limp, if your parents lie'.
She does as said
Her mouth bitter and dry
Father smiles and brings up small talk
As neighbors peep, a usual attempt to pry.
'He earns well', Lady says
Looking at Mother, but eyeing her boy
'Educated too, for her can read and write'
'We like her too'. Mother beams with joy.
'He will need a bike', Lady continues
'That's all we ask', her smile is sly
'For your daughter, of course, not for us'
'We are old' she adds, 'our life has gone by'.
Father sighs, looks at the clouds
They slide away and unveil the sky
Mother's gold and silver will be pawned
For he must raise the money, he must try.
She sits there looking at her toe-nail
Eyes well up, but she must not cry
'I am educated too', she thinks, 'I can read and write'
'And yet, Father must purchase the groom, why?'
