By: Gauri Abhishek Kher

Blood bound, tied down,
The girl looks down at her hands stained red.
The mehendi’s design acting like small ropes,
Her bridal dress weighing her down,
She looks at her groom, who stood afar,
She wondered if this ‘new beginning’ will be what tears her apart.

You see she didn’t want this,
She was just a young girl with dreams and aspirations.
She looked up to her brothers, always the busy ones,
She hoped that one day her mother would also let her go,
Maybe not in the dark like her brother,
But maybe for abit longer.
Maybe then she could look at the stars and the moon,
Not just as a normal person, but like the people she read about in newspapers.

Her mother had always shut down her requests and protests,
Saying she could enjoy her life once she was with a husband.
That she could study once she was married,
But only with the permission of this unknown man.
She hid her books, hid behind those trees,
She hid behind the facades when all she wanted was to be free.

The day was already here,
She wanted to laugh, she wanted to cry.
This was the first time she saw her mother smile,
She wondered if her mother ever thought of the dread that filled her.
The unknown man who now held the ropes of her life is his hands smiled,
He said he would bring the moon on her command,
But would he agree to let her study the same from afar.
Blood bound, tied down,
She looked up at the sky,
The universe looking down on her,
She signed a subtle goodbye.

About the Poet: Gauri Abhishek Kher is a student at Symbiosis Law School, Pune (India). She has a strong interest in literature and writing, alongside her academic engagement with law and business studies. Her work reflects thoughtful observation and clarity of expression. She believes writing is an important medium for reflection and meaningful communication.

This poem was featured on Poetic Expressions 4.0 — our flagship poetry recital event.