Hail Mary full of Grace
Sitting against the wall with tears
Like the Madonna of white marble
With the sleeping child on her lap
Sumithra was counting the beads
Lips murmuring the holy prayer
‘Hail Mary Full of Grace…’
Aching heart yearned to God
To liberate her from the Hell
Vimala whispered to Seetha
“Rangan found a new concubine
Visits rarely to thrash Sumithra
A dead wife shall absolve him
From all marital obligations”
Angered over the plight of Sumithra
Women right activist Seetha yelled
“Come with me to police and court
To get gender justice “
Like a stone statue sat Sumithra
Rosemary, the wise elderly woman
Silenced the protest of Seetha with
“Be an Indian while in India
Wife is condemned to suffer
The evils of her husband
Revolt against husband is a sin”
Entered Rangan heavily drunk
Barking like a mad dog, he kicked
Sumithra and demanded delicious food
Though delicious, he slapped her
With a curse,” it’s shit! It’s shit!!”
He left with a parcel for his concubine
Sumithra was counting the beads of Rosary
Praying fervently to liberate her from the Hell
“Sumithra Aunty! Sumithra Aunty!! “
Cried Basil with agitated voice.
“A bike accident! Rangan uncle is dead!!”
Yelled she aloud from her belly that
Broke the hearts of her kith and kin
“This is an Indian wife. Though a Satan
How cried she aloud over his loss”
Village leader murmured proudly
It was a cry of ecstasy, not of agony
Tears of joy, not of pain.
Sumithra alone knew the truth.
God liberated her from the Hell
Hail Mary full of Grace!!