Cover me

Where he cannot see

Under the chunni

Hiding 

White and sheer

With lashes down

 

A curl of hair 

Tucked in ebony

With jewels glimmering

Gold gleaming

Eyes marveling

Weight they cannot feel

 

I am not stained red 

Yet

But his fingers

Won’t find mine anymore

And the bangles break 

Before they’re on

 

And the mehndi tubes 

Are left uncut 

Palms on my face

Throat dry

Stomach heaving

Heart shattered 

 

And the drips 

Dropping on chiffon

Only he can see

My flesh is pure

But my chunni

Is not 

 

-Kiran Bains