She Sells Sea Shells, Not Her

Clad, tucking pallu
She covers her frame
Under sun, in rain
Beating the mundane

She rose above her man
When he cheated on her
Earning bread, raising kids
With spirits, undeterred

Covers her dignity
Albeit, a menial job
A smile on her face
Nudging toes at her own pace

Content, without a man
Efficacy, she possess
Selling knickknacks on road side
Not her flesh

Unwanted advances
Lewd remarks by men
Unaffected, she remains
Even when they condemn

She is a hero
Many would concur
She sells sea shells
Not her

Comments

  1. Wonderful writing Saru. Touching lines. Could feel her braveness and will power.

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  2. excellent!!!!!!

    loved it thoroughly.........

    anu

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  3. Painful truth...beautifully presented.

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  4. Lovely! Three cheers to her! I have personally seen many women like her...
    She sells sea shells
    Not her...... Beautiful words!

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    1. Thanks for reading Bushra and yes, we have many such examples around us.

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  5. really she s a hero...
    "she sells sea shells... not her"
    amazing thought...

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  6. There are so many women all over, doing whatever they wish to do... business or jobs... I always see poetry in work. But it always makes me restless to find women writing poetry wanting to bring in 'lewd remarks' and lusty men as if their work cannot be celebrated without such devices.

    Just thought I'd share my thoughts here... the poem , by the way, runs in easy bits and the mind likes it.

    Arvind Passey
    www.passey.info

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    1. It's not about bringing lewd remarks. It's about lone women who manages all alone. Our society, well men, try to hit on her, like she is an object and are judgmental of her character. What I have written in the poem is what I witnessed once. This poem is an expression of what I felt that very moment.

      Thanks for reading and sharing your views, Sir.

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    2. What lewd remarks does this poem beget!? I am intrigued. Kindly elaborate.
      This poem is a narration of what the author may have witnessed and experienced. Whenever there is an undercurrent of power or the lack of it, amongst various other things, there is poetry in its birth. So was this poem.

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    3. @Stuti - I bow to your writing genius, nobody could have said it better than you. Gist of this line will stay with me forever,

      ' Whenever there is an undercurrent of power or the lack of it, amongst various other things, there is poetry in its birth.'

      Lucky to have you as a reader. Learnt a lot from you.

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    4. Ah, Saru, beautiful words that you pen, when you do. Why should they be dissected? Your thoughts, your blog, your readers.

      She is a hero
      Many would concur
      She sells sea shells
      Not her

      The understanding of this can only be summed like this. Bring me a man who hasn't undressed dignity with his eyes and I will show you a woman who so wished for him to.


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    5. I don't think, it's possible, not in million years. About views, I think to each his own...:)

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  7. second stanza is superb ! wonderful as well as inspiring writing

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  8. A True gratitude to ladies doing such works..Lovely Lines.. :-)

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  9. lovely! I enjoyed these meaningful verses , awesome!

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  10. Wonderful writing. It is important that people don't lose hope. Poor indeed is a person who doesn't have dreams. When dreams have died, when there is no idea to walk from darkness to light, no one things of what is wrong or right. In such circumstances selling their body is inevitable.

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    1. Well, isn't it the harsh reality? And then I think, selling body is better than selling your soul, which happens even more.

      Thanks for reading and for your sharing your thoughts.

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  11. Nice representation of bitter truth...respect!

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  12. lovely!!
    http://hindustanisakhisaheli.blogspot.com/

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  13. Just loved it Saru. And I do not get the restlessness to the word lewd remarks here. Most women face lewd remarks when they venture out for work. Very apt and very touching.

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    1. That is true, women face such remarks almost everywhere. Glad you liked it.

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  14. Superb Superb.

    Very thoughtful, loved it.

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  15. Saru this is awesome! Such a great woman, she fights against all evils in society. Loved the poem, So poignant and sad.

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  16. Saru this is awesome! Brave lady, she fight against all evil that exist around her. Loved the poem. So poignant!

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  17. Very inspiring poem.I loved it, Three cheers for the brave lady.

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    1. Indeed, such women are brave. Thanks for reading, Ma'am.

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  18. Never say die is the spirit with which many of these women folk lead their lives! In many cases they are the sole breadwinners! Well done Saru, yet again for this poetic weave:)

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  19. Lovely one Saru :) Loved the poem entirely and especially the lines:

    Content, without a man
    Efficacy, she possess
    Selling knickknacks on road side
    Not her flesh

    This is true in rare cases. Cheers :)

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  20. Very strong poem and this should awaken a whole lot of people and make them understand that where there is a will there is a way.

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  21. Wonderfully written Saru. Less words and more emotions.

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  22. A strong poem Saru. Back here after a long gap, glad I stopped by :)

    Someone is Special

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  23. WOW! very well captured!

    your sentences are short yet very strong. Loved it!

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    1. Coming from you, it's a huge compliment.

      ~Humbled~

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  24. excellent piece of writing..when it comes to words..you are a magician :)

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    1. Hehehe...Thanks for a generous comment dear. :)

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  25. Salute to such women! Very well expressed in a simple and easy tone conveying the strength of a woman!

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  26. each stanza is speaking for itself,a hard working dignified women very well potrayed

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  27. A striking contrast that magnifies the meaning of life despite its odds and adversities. A poignant poem!

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  28. The 2nd paragraph made my eyes moist ! These lines are beautifully crafted and structured ..Thanks for sharing :)

    -Pramod

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  29. Ooh, ah, very powerful. The good thing about your poems are that they are clear and easily comprehensible even to layman like me. Some poems by others i find are kinda way over my head. But u weave simple poems but sprinkle them with such powerful emotions that one carries back something from your blog with every visit, day in and day out.

    I remember reading that they call u sachin tendulkar of blogosphere. But i wonder why. He performed on every alternate match. U perform with each outing. :o

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    1. As I always say, I am not from literature background and I like to keep things simple. And it's my good luck that many find my work good because of its simplicity. Super thrilled to read your comment and encouraged to do better.

      LOL on the name, Deepak is responsible for it. :) Thanks for reading and for a heart-warming comment.

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  30. It is people like these that reaffirm my faith in the decision to not give alms to the ones with sound limbs. They have the power to turn their lives around, not a petty penny.

    Regards,
    Blasphemous Aesthete

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    Replies
    1. Very true, even I am against feeding those who can work. Thanks for reading Anshul.

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  31. A woman with few resources,forking out n her own-you have depicted her plight sensitively.

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  32. Often a woman has to go through such bitter experiences where people try to take advantage of her circumstances. Kudos to them who fight against them. Lovely! :)

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  33. Excellent! and congratulations! :)

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  34. A walk along the streets of any Indian city or town and one can see so many women like this.... Right? Their efforts in life go unnoticed unlike CEOs (women) of big corporates who keep getting laurels about womenhood, strength etc.

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    1. We always forget less-fancy things, though their struggle is always bigger.

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  35. A wonderful ode to the spirit of surviving with dignity

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  36. Never imagined a tongue twister can be twisted in a thoughtful poetic narration of a brave woman who is fighting to live with dignity! Good one Saru!

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    1. Even I never thought so, it just came to my mind and I liked it. Thanks for reading, Shesha.

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  37. Brilliantly penned. And very deserving of a tangy tuesday !

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  38. An everyday story of countless women. Write on...

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  39. hardship ..patience and above all motherhood.!!
    BRAVE LADY!

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  40. powerful Saru...though it's the opposite, it very quickly reminded me of this song (rather video) Turn the Page.

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    1. The video shows her journey. Thanks for reading and welcome back.

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  41. she is so strong and you have penned it down so wonderfully :)

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  42. she's a real hero..
    why give in to this world when there's fire inside.
    Everything lost can be regained, but character once lost never comes back.

    I really salute such people who in spite of odds make their lives even :)

    lovely expressions Saru :)

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    1. They teach us a lot. Thanks for reading Jyoti.

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  43. Lovely, beautiful & truth of life. There are so many women like her who got betryal from her Husband or the circumtance where a woman take charge of her life and start leading her life with dignity. Yes this is true there are people who try to take the advantage of the situation and many cases has been brought into the light through media.

    No. of these kind of women is not less and no. of people who harash them is not less too.

    They way you described the agony of such women is like showing a mirror to the society that this also exist.
    And sometime I feel the woman who is facing all these is actually got habitual of lewd remarks and continue to ignore
    them.

    I liked these lines: "Covers her dignity
    Albeit, a menial job
    A smile on her face
    Nudging toes at her own pace"

    These above line I guess universal- any human should have this kind of attitude towards life, no matter what adverse condition he/she is in. One should never leave the coompany of smile and move ahead with positivity.




    She sells sea shells- This line I guess a great tongue twister! :)

    Keep rocking! BTW congrats for Tangy tuesday.

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    1. Well said, Mithlash. There are many around us who may inspire but we hardly take note. Happiness and positivity are the biggest weapons to fight whatever battle you are in.

      Thanks for reading and sharing your views. It brings out the beauty of blogging.

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  44. Very touching and heart-warming!Makes me realize that everyone of us has a strong sun inside us. :)

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  45. Lovely Saru! Beautifully written weaving the emotional turmoil of the woman.

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  46. Lovely words, Saru! Sometimes I wonder how it would be if the men could be all turned into women to face the world as we do. Yes, we are no one's property to nudge, grope or speak evil of. Poignant words but then you are so good at this.

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    1. It would be very difficult for them to survive even for few hours.

      Thanks for a generous compliment Rachna.

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  47. This makes you unique and loved by so many :) !! this was a great tribute to the women who fight odds and on terms !!! the picture is from Orissa ?

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    1. Nah, this picture is from Goa and as I couldn't trace to whom it originally belongs, I have given source as Google.

      And thank you for the first line of the comment ~ Just made my day :)

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  48. Lovely! You captured the emotions well!

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  49. What a courageous woman! Wonderful piece of writing.

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  50. Life teaches everything what id needs....well written!

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  51. A real hero she is ... very well written.

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  52. A strong poem about a strong lady.She sells sea sheels, not her flesh. lovely.

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  53. Perfection is the word..:) When I come across these people, which is a common sight in India, I feel lucky and thank god for that. You have said it beautifully..:)

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    1. Yes, there are many but I applaud their courage and determination. Thank you for a lovely comment Prashanth.

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  54. a strong and beautiful poem. :)

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  55. CONGRATS SARU -----WINNER INDIAN BLOGGER AWARDS ---KEEP IT UP

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  56. Hearty congratulations Saru for being awarded the Blogger Award.
    A very thought provoking post and a nice poem too.

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    1. Thanks a lot for your wishes and for reading the poem.

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  57. Wow... wonderfully written... with a tribute to the single women...loved reading it

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  58. This is simply written, not a passey only because of two things- the subject - and the one who wrote it. It might have been written better, but still it evokes feelings due to the undercurrent of happenings in India against women.

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    1. When I wrote it, it was not because of what is happening right now. My understanding was what was happening from many many centuries and how single women is treated and put to test in day-to-day life. I agree, it could have been better. Thanks a ton for reading, Pratik.

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  59. I think these kind of poems should be send to schools and taught to students at a primary level. I, student studying in 9th class believe that, today we're not getting moral values rather, just literature is being taught, full of imaginations, no practical meaning. I wish this happens in some days. Also, check out my poem on my blog titled "KAB TAK". A poem on the wrong do's of the society.

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    1. That's a very noble thought Rishi. And you are right we are just mugging things rather using our education to make us better human being. Would love to read your poem and welcome here.

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  60. Wonderful thought Saru!!

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  61. Very well written. Such simple language, yet they convey the message so accurately. I have recently started Tell-A-Tale.com, a website that aims to bring together writers who can can pen creatively about social issues. Do drop by. You may find it interesting.

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    1. Thank you for your generous comment and welcome here, Arunima :)

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  62. i was a fan but now a follower saru i simply love ur writings dxbnidblog

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  63. Hey Saru....loved the women spirit you conveyed

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  64. HI Saru, i have been thinking of the lady road side vendors (small time). You have very well put the same in words. You are a very good observer.

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    1. Some people evoke strong feelings and you end up writing such a piece. Thanks for reading. You should also pen down your thoughts.

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