The Job of Pride

From devadasi in temples to women of the streets, Form hooker to harlot, From courtesan to call girl, Whether a paramour in the hands of wealth, Or a Whore engaging in promiscuous sexual intercourse, So many names and so many fames, Above all I am a human being too, Often referred as the lady of the evenings, People forget that I also have mornings, I use my body for lewd purposes, But this is my job may be the worst of all, This is not for pleasure, greed or money, I am trapped to this vicious world, These callous men turned me a used good, Now whom to be blamed? This society calls me ‘Characterless’ Because I pledged my dignity for this profession, May be the oldest of all, I never dreamt of marriage, I am an impoverished cultural outcast, I am excommunicated, I work in darkness, And that’s why people fail to see me in light, But Menaka, Rambha, Urvashi, and Thilothamma, The celestial demigods – who are they? Indian mythology says this as high-class prostitution? This is the harsh reality, I spare myself for making you elated But you brand me the “curse of this society “ I never look at my mirror with joy My own reflection titters at me I see only destation and revulsion around me, I scream in agony and excruciation But for people they are pleasure sounds and sex noises, I have dissolved my high spirits in the ocean of Hedone Where my conventionality and morality have gone invisible, Now I stand before this society as a misanthropist, An elite lady – who changes her boy friend every now and then, I love my John just for few minutes, I eventually break up for the next John to stay, When I walk down the streets I never look up, For the eyes of women fend off, For the eyes of men fond off, They rate me based on complexion, Being a black seducer I am paid low But none discovered my hearts white glow, From a lad to a gray man, All try to touch my skin, But none so far have tried to touch my soul For them I am a doll – without feelings or pain, But for me no pain no gain, I can never change this world, Or the way they treat me, Likewise I can never change myself, Or the way I treat my men. I am searching my bright future in the night, And I call this my nocturnal life. BY, MADHUPRIYA SHANMUGAM