Centenary Tribute to
Narayan Surve

It’s Getting Tougher

Comforting myself each day is getting tougher.
Holding myself back no matter how hard I try is getting tougher.

Soothing the wailing mind to sleep is getting tougher.
Not reacting even after seeing sacs full of chaff is getting tougher.

Making a pact with life each day is getting tougher.
Living as though one is not alive is getting tougher.
Reasoning with myself is getting tougher.

Promising lit matchsticks shan’t get dropped
in warehouses is getting tougher.

Please Write Your Name

Teacher, write...
Put your name only.
I swear in the name of Goddess Maree-aai,
Please write...

Look at his matted hair, teacher;
Don’t they look like a cobra’s hood?
He’s God’s gift, 
Teacher, God’s gift.

Teacher, the soil may act rogue...
May put on airs, but
without a plow,
without a seed,
Does a sapling sprout? Ever? Tell me.
How then can you write my name in place of his father’s?
And how can a child grow up without a father?

No, don’t write any God’s name.
Write the name of a man.
What has God done?
I conceived with a man, right?
Write your name only.

Don’t ask caste;
Women like me do not belong…