” I remember I used to be a young girl once ” cried an old woman sitting on the street a begging bowl near her feet. ” With shiny hair cascading down my back and life radiating from my supple skin. My springy steps led me down the beach each waking day. Soaking under the sparkling sun I danced my cares away. I doodled my hopes and dreams on pristine sands and they were grand! The horizon was bright and clear so were my youthful days. ”
” But father died and then my future did not stand a chance. Away from the sea, I was married off to a bastard of a man who drinks from sunrise till dawn. The demon drunk and drunk until his liver fell out but not before he left me with a dozen mouth to feed. Gloom rained down unceasingly. Two of my children had died from malnutrition.Three of my sons are in prison. The rest of them I don’t know where they have gone. My only daughter, too young but working as a servant. Her fate as doomed as mine. Without a dowry, for her I can never find a decent mate.”
” Now look at me wrinkled and grey before my time. Angry waves have long washed my dreams away. ”
” Please young lady can you not spare this poor old woman a rupee?”
sad & very touching …you’ve put it across so well.
Thank you. It is a sad reality so common, it is often overlooked. 🙂
Hmmmm…. 😦
Pity Pity… that is why when “one” becomes “two” it has to equal a “family”….
So true. How are you na?
am fine ate 🙂 busy sa school…:) ikaw?
Good to hear that. 🙂
mizyahhhhh!!!! 🙂
Me too.:-)
🙂
I’m sure there are many with similar stories. You have painted and worded it so poignantly. Poor woman.
This story was inspired,aside from the old woman in the painting, by a young girl I met in the park. A nanny, not more than 12 years old I think. She was very fond of my dog. There was a hint of loneliness in her bright smile. I wondered what her life is like. I know very little Hindi, we could not really speak to each other much. Only smiles, gestures and nodding.
Very good. What happened to her daughter? lol
Scorched me like unwatered grass. Well crafted
Thank you. Nothing else singes the conscience more than standing helpless witnessing someone else’s misery.
This is exactly true!!! It happens more in Asia and Africa. Who has to be blamed for such situations?
Sigh. I can’t find an answer to that. A rotten system to keep the poor, poor and the rich, rich.
Exactly true!!! In future, poverty word will get popularized among everyone. It happens because of corruption.
In only a few short paragraphs you really convey her heartbreak and I feel such sympathy for this woman. Thank you for following my poetry blog, Jofelyn. I’m pleased that you enjoy my work ! You are very talented and seem like a very sweet girl. You invoke such beautiful imagery in short, creative bursts. I haven’t read all your posts yet, but if you have not written any poetry yourself, you should try it. I think you could be an amazing poet, as well as a great storyteller. Thanks again and I’m happy to have a new friend, Jofelyn. :)….. Jeff Littrell
I adore poets, I love poetry but I think I am lacking rhythm in that area. I love the feeling that you evoke in your poem ” like horses” the freedom. I will be browsing through your archives every now and then. Thank you for all the nice things you said. 🙂 The saddest thing about the story of this woman is that her story is so common, they have a system here that makes it impossible for women of her status to succeed. It’s a vicious cycle really.
You’re paintings are very moving and inspiring. Thankyou for putting them up.
Thank you Susan. 🙂 it is my pleasure.
Beautiful painting but painful story!
Thank you. 🙂 yeah so common in these parts.
😦
Great painting. Heartbreaking story.
thank you Jess. 🙂 that story is quite common here.