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Flowers of Mid-Night

Flowers of Midnight I am not a morning glory I am damsel of the midnight When misery struck my family, wrath of God, classy people cite To appease the Almighty, pubescent girl at home be left... as a "Devadasi" which meant literally, " Servant of the Deity" This immoral exploitation veiled under wraps of religion Ignorant, illiterate with superstition my family lets me into this with celebration A ritual follows during my initiation into this system of south Indian society and 'am declared deity's wife... My new home the temple premise All my life dreams in air collapse At this point, am made a midnight flower to the classy patrons and priests My duty is to dance and sing and cater to their insatiable carnal needs I am craved for at nights and like trash rejected as dawn heralds for I am their queen of the nights I am a withered midnight flower My fragrance lingers only at night My voice subdued beneath my footsteps as I dance to their dirty desires My soul weeps in deep hiding suppressed while outside emanate my forced joyful songs! © Anulaxmi Nayak, 2015 P.S: Devadasi system refers to immoral exploitation of girls who were dragged into prostitution in the name of religion which was deeply rooted in south-Indian states. Awareness and social reforms has removed this from society this centuries old deeply etched socio-religious malefic practice.My attempt just to throw light on this system and not to deal with several details and controversies associated with this.

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Liam Mcdaid

Date: 8/27/2015 4:21:00 PM

sad truth i wrote a piece on the very same subject called modern day slavery it really upset me such behavior in supposedly modern world i applaud your pen anulaxmi excellent piece of writing wishing you a blessed week

Anu Nayak
Date: 8/28/2015 1:07:00 AM

Dear Liam, thank you so much for your visit to my poem and your words of appreciation...very true.....i agree with your words....thanks again....love, Anu:-)

Dm Babbit

Date: 8/27/2015 11:20:00 AM

Sad that today's society still harbors old ingrained practices as this. You relay it with eloquence and give rise to change for the future. Thank you for your fearless revelation.

Anu Nayak
Date: 8/27/2015 2:37:00 PM

Dear DM Babbit, let me first thank you so very much for your visit to my poem ....and for your words...very true i do agree with what you said....my only wish is to have a society where there is individual liberty to shape their own life the way they want...voice of everyone be equally heard...thanks again, love, Anu:-)

Paul Callus

Date: 8/27/2015 9:44:00 AM

This is an enlightening poem, making us aware of 'customs' which degraded innocent girls and abused of them. Your poem is metaphorically impressive. #7 Warm regards. // paul

Anu Nayak
Date: 8/27/2015 10:12:00 AM

Dear Paul, thank you for stopping by to read my poem ... Yes very true i agree to what you have written ....innocent victims ....in the name of customs or may be manipulation of social fabric by the powerful to accomodate their needs....thanks agan...love, Anu:-)

Casarah Nance

Date: 8/27/2015 8:07:00 AM

Wow, your write has opened my eyes, we so often live in the here and now of our own lives we don't know what is going on outside of our own bubble...this was an amazing write 7

Anu Nayak
Date: 8/27/2015 8:13:00 AM

Dear Casarah, thank you so much dear for stopping by to read my poem..I do agree with you....many things we will be unaware...i appreciate poetry soup which is a nice portal to share and learn....once again thank you dear...love, Anu:-)

Ian Jones

Date: 8/27/2015 7:30:00 AM

It is amazing how abuse of allsorts over the centuries has been dressed up in fake respectability, for the abusers. Power, control and no responsibility seem to be very attractive prizes. If they believe that what they do is right why do they hide, why do they shun the public gaze and what part does the aquiescence of their wives play in this instance. Thanks for teaching me something new. Kind regards, Ian

Anu Nayak
Date: 8/27/2015 7:38:00 AM

Dear Ian, thanks for the visit.....well I agree with you ..... I feel that to cater to their needs the powerful always victimise the ignorant by intelligently using some tags which will definitely mobilise the ignorant masses... Awareness and education are the keys so that voice of victims be heard.... Thanks again Ian....love, Anu:-)