I am nothing but a Sari, destined to be pretty
Not to house dreams, or to voice words,
Not to feel hurt, or thoughts petty,
the symbol of elegance, the epitome of beauty.
I was crafted with art, raised with love
but they painted borders on me, in red, to imprison me
I was cherished with pride, and displayed with taste
for the world to behold, and covet
Many faces came, looked and felt me
and left me for the cheaper, glittery ones
Till one day you came, knowing my worth
and draped me, feeling my softness on your skin
You haggled and argued, to strike the right price
and when both parties agreed, I was traded
wrapped in glittery paper, I choked
No one cared if I was willing to go.
You showed me off to anyone who would see
and pinned me up stiff, to lend the right curves
I endeavoured to look pretty, and held my head high
Though I was hurting at the pin pricks that held me in place
Within days, I lost my sheen, and crumpled
no longer able to stand stiff, no more pretty
You washed me and ironed me and starched me
to restore my glory, while I writhed in pain
I slowly lost life and went limp,
my heart hurt and my head bowed
I was no longer the most pretty, the queen of all silks,
I was just another Sari, past my prime.
No more did you caress me, there was no love,
I lived my life in solitude, still bound by my borders,
I longed to have been a pant or a shirt - anything free
and cursed the fate that made me a Sari
Slowly but surely I faded from your life,
folded and pushed into the recesses of your wardrobe
Until you would take me out and tear me up
to add colour to your quilt or to clean your floor
I do not utter these thoughts, my voice is not heard,
I am ignored and stepped over, but I harbour no grudge
for Oh Fool, you woman, little do you know
that your fate is no different from mine.
