NAVRATRI SNAPSHOTS

I

She will fast all nine days

pay alms,worship little girls

how else should she repent

for killing two of her own

years ago

the unborn girls.

II

The doctor told her

not to fast during pregnancy

yet she comes to the temple every day

"O mother goddess,

a son this time please !

or the hell for her and

her daughter would become worse."

III

The pandal for dandiya

is next to the market

Raju's unlettered,13 years old mind

calculates.why his day's earnings

are even less than the price of

one navratra thali for those who fast.

IV

In the car park

for the dandiya celebrations

the car boot is the bar

a group of young brats

look forward to

cheap thrills.

v

Taking a break from his rickshaw

he is glad that

his girls fetch so much

from devout homes on Ashtami

otherwise these good for nothings

burden on earth.

VI

The Devi is decorated

celebrated.

the women battered,

the girl child,abused and killed.

The celebartion is for nine nights

the suffering is endless.