Recall the back alley of Matunga -
Where someone dragged away
An unsuspecting five year old.
Put her on the floor,
Plundered her body, soul.
A sickly dog moved across to lick
Her mangled remains -
Beginning with blood, semen.

Recall the hurt of that Sewri woman -
Screaming, groveling in labour,
Giving birth to a stillborn.
And the tone-deaf, pimp of a spouse
Kept announcing to passersby
How blessed he was with a new mistress.
He blessed his stars.
He cursed the stillborn.

Recall the face of the orphan -
Pale and frail from Dharavi,
Just ten years on to fight anybody,
Without wanting to be rude.
Recall! The boy's face -
Who survived the pangs
Of constant hunger,
But died watching over a sick parent.

For Dr. Kiran Bedi
Mumbai
2013

Geeta Chhabra

Glossary.
Matunga, Sewri and Dharavi - are localities of Mumbai.