I have been nominated by the poetess Ellora Mohanty to participate in the poetic marathon #PeetMeNotLeave. For eight consecutive days, I will be publishing one of my poems along with a photo.

I have been quite late in participating in this contest but nonetheless, I wanted to give it a try for the sheer joy of being able to create some poetic landscapes. I hope you like my attempt and in some way, enjoy the journey. I welcome you all on this fun ride!!

I have chosen Fire/light as my inspiration and I hope I do justice to the theme through my poems.

The sixth poem is captioned as Agni!

I am the Fire,

I am also called Agni,

Symbolizing piousness,

Giving authenticity to vows,

Signifying forging of new relations,

Establishing trusts to last for life & beyond,

When the new pairs revolve around me,

Tied in a knot signifying

A social contract to withstand all tests of time.

I am the Fire,

I am also called Agni,

I see a reflection of me in her eyes,

When she holds the hand that makes promises,

When she has to take the leap of faith,

To cross the bridge dividing her two worlds.

I see myself burning in her heart,

When she looks into the eyes

Of her creators with the grief of separation,

And then looks into those new pair of eyes,

Searching for the comfort of being safe,

Of being preserved from any dishonor.

I sense the same ignition in her soul,

When she crosses the biggest bridge of life,

Making her very identity change,

Demanding from her lifelong loyalty & dedication,

Upholding the family’s dignity till she burns her last in her funeral.

I am the Fire,

I am also called Agni,

I see a reflection of me in her eyes,

I sense annihilation of her dreams,

When she enters a new home that

Does not always welcome her with open arms,

Asking her questions about her sanity,

Making her prove herself at every point,

Compelling her to slowly sacrifice herself,

Either for her better half or her off springs,

Easily disowning her,

when she tries to question any wrong,

Justifying the abuse by her own savior,

just to prove fragile masculinity.

I am the Fire,

I am also called Agni,

I see a reflection of me in her eyes,

I question everyone today,

What stops you ,

From providing her with the fuel she needs to shine?

What stops you,

From accepting her uniqueness , her own dreams, her very own persona?

What stops you,

From sharing the load, from treating her as an equal?

What stops you

From ‘not’ expecting her to fit in?

I am the Fire,

I am also called Agni,

I need fuel to keep burning,

So does she to keep going.

Respect , love & attention

Is what she rightfully deserves,

Acceptance, space & liberty

Is what she craves within,

Equal partnership, not slavery

Is what she ought to be entitled to.

I am the Fire,

I am also called Agni,

I see a reflection of me in her eyes…

Love,

Chinmayee

• Note: This poem is not meant to hurt any religious sentiments or any gender/caste/creed/beliefs/traditions etc. It is purely based on poetic imagination and is a work of fiction.