Two Poems on Womanhood by Shirani Rajapakse

But a poetess could soar to places no teacher could go.

The Poetess

She called herself a
poetess because she liked
the sound of it. Much
better than calling herself
a teacher. So plain, so
common,
so like the girl next
door. But a poetess
could soar
to places no teacher
could go. So she
told all she met she was a
poetess. A teacher too, but
now a poetess. It
was like graduating
from one level to the
next. The simple folks didn’t
understand, they thought
she had done something
great. She walked with a
spring to her step. Her
expression serious. They turned
around as they saw her pass.
She felt such pride.
At last
to be known. Even if to
just a few. They did
not know she had
nothing to show.

(Republished from the author’s blog)

Woman of the House

His voice lifted her. She was
caught in the light of his eyes. His words
guided her on her way.
He moved his lips and her arms rose
to obey. She picked up the load
silently groaning at the weight. Too heavy
for a frail body like hers already
battered like an old ship in a stormy sea.

He told her it was so and she
did as he bid. He left her to her chores to
indulge in more important things. Later
in the evening he returned
to inspect and smiled
at her effort. She moved back into her shell.
Her day was done but rest was still
far away. The clock hadn’t
struck the hour. Her silent groans
unheard, swallowed,
hard and dry like old chapatti.

(First published in Spark, Mar 5, 2014, India)

This poem is the Sri Lankan poet Shirani Rajapakse’s contribution as part of the 6th Woman Scream International Art and Poetry Festival 2016, the Kolkata chapter of which is being held on March 26.

Read more poems as part of the Art and Verses: Rhythm Divine Collaborates with Woman Scream 2016

Rhythm Divine Poets in association with Art Fair celebrates the strength of woman on the occasion of woman’s month in March by promoting art and poetry festival in the city of Kolkata. To raise voice against violence on woman is the mutual goal. These associations will lead to Rhythm Divine  coordinating Kolkata chapter of the global event called Woman Scream International Poetry and Art Festival on 26th March by Women Poets International
Movement (Mujeres Poetas Internacional MPI) from the Dominican Republic, and coordinated by Jael Uribe, MPI’s President.

The Kolkata chapter is  co-sponsored by Incredible Women of India, Manya Education Pvt Limited and The Princeton Review hosted by the Berlia family in Kolkata.

Print partner
SIBCO Overseas Pvt Ltd and Admakers

Gifts sponsored by
Readomania

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Online Web media partner
Incredible Woman of India and
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Online media and literary partner
Readomania,
Learning and Creativity
Being Bookworms

Partnered by
Hamari Sanskriti,
Wordsurfacing
Ahava Communications

About the Author

Shirani Rajapakse ( 1 Post)

Shirani Rajapakse is a Sri Lankan poet and author. She won the Cha “Betrayal” Poetry Contest 2013 and was a finalist in the Anna Davidson Rosenberg Poetry Awards 2013. Her collection of short stories, Breaking News (Vijitha Yapa 2011) was shortlisted for the Gratiaen Award. Shirani’s work appears or is forthcoming in Café Dissensus, Silver Birch, International Times, Writers for Calais Refugees, The Write-In, Asian Signature, Moving Worlds, Citiesplus, Deep Water Literary Journal, Mascara Literary Review, Kitaab, Lakeview Journal, Cyclamens & Swords, Channels, Linnet’s Wings, Spark, Berfrois, Counterpunch, Earthen Lamp Journal, Asian Cha, Dove Tales, Buddhist Poetry Review, About Place Journal, Skylight 47, The Smoking Poet, New Verse News, The Occupy Poetry Project and anthologies, Flash Fiction International (Norton 2015), Ballads (Dagda 2014), Short & Sweet (Perera Hussein 2014), Poems for Freedom (River Books 2013), Voices Israel Poetry Anthology 2012, Song of Sahel (Plum Tree 2012), Occupy Wall Street Poetry Anthology, World Healing World Peace (Inner City Press 2012 & 2014) and Every Child Is Entitled to Innocence (Plum Tree 2012). She blogs at Shirani Rajapakse.
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