Poem: "I remember"

This poem was written from the perspective of a child bride to mark National Girl Child Day in India (24 January). It was generously shared by our member The Red Elephant Foundation.

I remember,

When I opened my eyes,

Your sun-washed face was tense,

'It’s a girl', you said,

But your sadness didn't make sense..

I remember,

When I started walking,

Your shoulders had stooped down a bit,

I thought it was to hold me from falling,

But it was the burden, wasn't it?

I remember,

When I saw my brothers going to school,

You chided me for asking for a slate,

I thought I'd done something wrong,

I should have known it was my fate..

I remember,

When you gave my brothers more food,

I ate my hunger and slept at night,

Even that couldn't make you happy,

I just could not do anything right..

I remember,

When I played with the tattered doll,

You married mine to the other,

I thought you were playing with me,

Before you gave yours to him forever..

I remember,

When he hit me, abused me, bruised me,

I thought you'd come take me away,

I knew you heard me from across the wall,

That was where I wept all day..

I remember,

When I screamed that night,

My eyes were wet but no one else cried,

Relief screamed in your silent eyes,

The night your little girl had died.