Poison

This poem is inspired by the concept of Vishkanya (poison maidens) used by Chanakya during the Maurya Empire to kill enemies. The girls were selected and raised away from the families. They were subjected to small amounts of poison for years, and soon over time they developed strong immunity towards them. Their body fluids were filled with poison, hence kissing this girl leads to death as they are filled with poison. This tactic were used by Kings to get rid of their enemies.

Poison

The baby's cry woke him up,
Holding her tight, he walked the trail.
Born under the cursed white star,
Her scalp prickly like the writings in brail.

The king was waiting, in the massive hall,
With a cold heart, the plan was made.
The jewel in his hand, would soon be trained,
Lips red as a bud, eyes dark as jade.

Years were passing, she was raised well,
The poison was injected, tenderly a day.
Every minute that passed, she bore the pain,
One fine morning, the pain died away.

So she was ready, saw the King,
Years of hard work, now shall pay.
She was to be a poisonous maid,
All set to destroy, kill and fray.

The enemy's kingdom was a mountain away,
Along with others, she reached his land.
Slender in white, she danced with grace,
She moved fast, time was passing like sand.

The enemy watched the vision in white,
He asked her to follow as he made his way.
She did what she was taught to do,
Enemy now struck, foaming as he lay.

She escaped before the light of dawn,
In due time she reached her King.
He watched her, glistening with pride,
Her task completed, she was gifted his ring.

This is her fate, she is the poison maid,
Peacefully she drank, to her heart's fill.
She now lay awake, waiting for her King,
In time she is told, who is her next kill.

- Tanvi Karnik

Star

Miles away from me you stand,
My wish is that you hold my hand.

Alone and lonely, you seem to glow,
My love washes in, with a flow.

You are my white shining star,
But all I do is watch from afar.

I feel that you are slipping away,
I try to catch but alone I lay.

Distant and cold, we grow apart,
Colorless with no life, is my art.

I try to hold, as you fall,
My name is here for you to call.

But the star ignores my plea,
And from the sky I see him flee.

-Tanvi

Hoodwinked

Hoodwinked am I?
I ask the sky,
The fallen leaves,
Meant to die.

She rests her back,
Against the soft tree,
Shackled in black love,
Trying to break free.

The toxic lust,
Is wasted away,
Charred by inch,
Awake she lay.

Hoodwinked she was,
It struck upon her,
Around her echoed,
His drawling lure.

He looked her through,
Wanting her soul,
His eyes pitch black,
A fiery coal.

Did he love her,
Every minute she thought,
Heavily and mightily,
The feelings she fought.

Hoodwinked by him,
She tried to appeal,
Finally she gave up,
Her blood now teal.

-Tanvi

The Bride

She looked into the mirror,
Frail and pale, a vision in red,
Lush bronze fell off her back,
The clock had struck, it was time to wed.

Father had chosen the groom to be,
She had given herself to destiny,
Lost in thoughts of her glorious future,
Doused she was in walls of silent epiphany.

The boy was the village's pride,
Apple of his father's eye,
Hopes high were pinned on him,
He followed his father, persona shy.

All eyes on her, she walked to him,
Rituals began and flowers strewn,
Voices echoed, an argument broke,
Her father's turban fell, cloth of maroon.

Sarees of silk and bars of gold,
Had not yet reached said the groom's father,
Since you are late, we make it double,
If you cannot give, then do not bother.

The spineless boy sat very still,
Bride stood up now determined,
Get up and leave, said the Bride,
Father's tears fell, her voice weakened.

The angry groom and family left,
Bride watched, resigned to fate,
Who will hold her hand, Father asked,
He looked hopelessly at the gate.

From the crowd, there rose a voice,
Stood a man, charming in white,
I will hold her hand, said he loudly,
She looked at him, filling with might.

Ceremony passed, they were now wed,
Walking for blessings hand in hand,
Her Father's feet they touched in joy,
Off swept her knight, to a loving land.

-Tanvi

Hate

I hate the way you know me,
I hate how much you care,
I hate our peaceful silence,
I hate the connect so rare.

I hate how I wait for you,
I hate the talks we speak,
I hate these unusual feelings,
I hate how I am so weak.

I hate the way I feel,
I hate the miles between,
I hate each passing day,
I hate the weakness you've seen.

I hate the building tension,
I hate the unknown realm,
I hate how much control you hold,
I hate the ship you helm.

I hate the budding love,
I hate the indecisiveness,
I hate how unsure we are,
I hate you play me like chess.

-Tanvi.

Darkness

I gaze ahead with swollen eyes,
A stretch of the darkest patch,
Glittering tears are streaming down,
No one is willing to catch.

Walking alone in the darkness,
I hope I am not being tricked,
My sanity and essence of life,
Seems to be terribly nicked.

Suddenly I am falling through,
The orchids of sense are to die,
I cannot watch the pain and death,
Please let this be a lie.

Lying on the cold black floor,
Waiting for the beam of light,
Hoping it will soon emerge,
I wont give up without a fight.

The darkness lasts for long,
The unknown lies ahead,
I feel every part of me,
Is burnt with molten lead.

-Tanvi

While At Sea

She looks outside,
Droplets fall,
A start of storm,
She imagines his call.

Two days have passed,
He is still at sea,
Hopelessly she waits,
Whilst sipping strong tea.

If he does not return,
Her thoughts run wild,
What is to happen,
Of her innocent child.

Her shackled hut tremors,
As the lightning strikes,
Her soul has shattered,
Pierced by million spikes.

Blissful years had passed,
She loved him to bits,
Her family photograph hanging,
Looked a perfect fit.

But while he is at sea,
Her heart has a catch,
He is her love and life,
Which no one can snatch.

She says a silent prayer,
His safety, her only wish,
The door opens and he stands,
Strong and tall, carrying fish.

Filled with hope and faith,
Her family is out of harm,
The child runs happily,
Into her father's arms.

- Tanvi