Two poems by Mitali Chakravarty

Sindoor

Vermillion adoringly adorns

the parting of my hair, a sign

of my belonging, of being

cherished, loved, of infinite…

It’s the sunrise and sunset

caught in my parting. The

colour gives vibrancy to

what my soul exudes.

It’s my ritual each morning.

After my bath, I put a pinch

of sindoor to declare to the

universe I belong. I belong.

It has nothing to do with war.

It only means love. To me, it

only means love, life, living.

Why is it now about war and killing?

Ginni

Exploring geographies,

I write. A Bangal ginni

with sindoor pinking

my silver blond parting,

I move with style, fearless.

I create new trends,

Make friends with trees,

birds and humans. The

whole globe is my home.

I adore my imperfections

and build on my dreams.

I fear no repercussions.

I fight. Take life in my stride.

I am a Bangal ginni.

*Sindoor is the vermilion worn in the parting of the hair to show one is married.

*Bangal is a person with roots in Bangladesh. Ginni is a mature housewife.