Woman 1 - What Can I Do For Chandini? Poem by Geeta Radhakrishna Menon
Woman 1 - What Can I Do For Chandini?
What can I do for Chandini?
What can I do
To bring a chirpy gleam into the tired sunken eyes?
What can I do
To bring a smile on her dried up parched lips?
What can I do
To ease the crease that has become a design on her forehead?
What can I do
To brighten up Chandini's countenance with a hearty laugh?
When the birds sing in chorus in the early hours of dawn,
Chandini has no time to listen to the sweet twitter tee,
She walks swiftly with pots on her head,
For water!She must fetch from a far off well.
As she walks back, she is reminded of another chore,
A trip on foot to collect wood in the forest!
Chandini rushes back carrying a bundle of dried twigs
To cook food for her entire family!
How can she aspire for a little time,
Just to sit, relax, or stretch her aching legs,
To stare at the trees and admire their leaves;
She has to sweep, swab, dust her house,
Wash clothes and utensils,
So on it continues! The never ending chores!
No siesta or respite from work,
It is only work and work from dawn to dusk!
What can I do
To remind Chandini of her personal wants and aspirations?
What can I do
To make Chandini realise that life is much more than chopping vegetables?
What can I do
To tell Chandini that she is born not just to serve but to be served as well?
What can I do
To point out that Chandini too is entitled to little celebrations ofwomanhood! !
Chandini is the name of an Indian tribal woman and this is the theme of her daily life.
This is the picture of a Kerala woman who has to work in the fields from dawn to dusk to feed and educate her children. A hard working rural woman.
These are not the hallow words written to mark an International Day for Women event but shows the harsh reality of a grueling routine of women in our society particularly in rural areas. And most of the times it is taken for granted. Kudos for the poet's minute observation and study of life all around. Thank you, Geeta ji, for sharing it. No siesta or respite from work, It is only work and work from dawn to dusk!
Thank you Rajnish ji! Your words are always a blessing for me. Thank you so much.
dear poetess Geeta, i cried after reading the story of Chandini........... how many are they..... sooooooooooooo many. they cry in their heart, in their and suffer in their bodies............. who will take care of them? it is our poetic call to help such chandinis............. shall we?
This poigant poem unfolds meseries of many Chandinis. An impactful poem on burning social issue.
This is a well written piece. I have known people that did not know they were cold or aching just thinking that this is the way life is. We all need more than this out of life.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/19/2024 12:08:11 PM # 1.0.0.1119
To tell Chandini that she is born not just to serve but to be served as well? What can I do To point out that Chandini too is entitled to little celebrations of womanhood! ! ....so touching and impressive expression. We have something to for women like Chandini. Really it is a beautiful tribute to women with lofty theme. This is my revisit to this poem. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Kumarmaniji for revisiting this poem and for your beautiful comment.