Best Poems Written by Sonia Bhatia

Crimsons Are Not For Me

A poem - Crimsons are not for me

   Crimsons are not for me 	
   Celluloid screen flashed for reference 
   Pinks would be fine’-
   bargained my voice  so meek 
   Crimsons are not for me 

  Be a pioneer, be a scion -
  inspirational women on pages caught my fancy
  But soon work caught my attention-
  squares  in a form asked for my status
  word   ‘widow’ fitted in  to  tee 
  I avoided the word  and wanted to flee
  Crimsons are not for me 

My inner voice knocked at me 
I drew a circle around the new found status
and kept it  safe and reserved 
Tears veiled the white of my eyes-
the  eyes which could see the crimsons and pinks
Crimsons are not for me

 Tears washed   away   a little part of the circle,
 I stepped out of  it and away from it-
 and a new normal embraced me
 I often return to the reserved circle-
 think I am privileged to grieve
 but  then I  look at the crimson azure and leave


In India   widows wear white color as a mark of losing her husband .Though white light is a combination of seven colors, this color is considered inauspicious. The word ‘widow’ has acquired negative connotations over the years. It is grim and spells a lackluster life. Don’t you think, it is a high time this term was replaced ,  just like visually impaired for blind or stroke survivor for stroke victim?
Losing you partner is always unthinkable. It is a shattering experience and unfortunately some of our references are movies which make it even worse. Just because two individuals have lost their partner ,does not put them under the same umbrella. We all are very different with unique circumstances, so the way to cope with the loss is also different. However, even more unique is the way we figure out the new normal. White is a serene color, which is composed of seven colors and it has a special place for crimson as well. Life has all shades  and  we definitely are engineered to embrace it all!

Copyright © Sonia Bhatia | Year Posted 2020