I Wish it Would Rain

Late into the dark hours, under the veil of light begotten from Luna herself, I lay half aroused. Tilting my head to the window on my right, I look deep into the horizon, its long belly tucked underneath the blanket of the sky. The earth breathes, and the leaves on the nearby flora sway along the streets of a placid Mumbai. Turning my vision to the ceiling, ready to sleep. However, sound travels lightly, stepping on each vibration through the air, to settle on my ear. I hear a car, breaking gently, it’s sound only to disappear. Taking no heed, detecting nothing strange, my body falls asleep but sight stays aware. This heart of mine, seconds before I find true rest leads me to prayer. I Thank you Brahma The creator, for giving me life inside this vessel of clay. I praise you Vishnu, for preserving my body, even to this day. Lastly, Shiva The Destroyer I have nothing to offer you. With those final words my mind dreamed and flew. Several hours travel as the Sun tries desperately to wrench the very heavens from the Moon’s control. A noise, abrupt, rouses me from quietus. It frightened me, for in the manor, I was the only soul. Footsteps, slowly steal their way closer to my room. The door, The Sphinx, guardian of night, cracked open letting a flash of light into this tomb. Before I knew what happened, hands were upon me, a scream tried desperately, clawing at the back of my throat, forced back into my lungs. I felt a weight on top of me, more to each of my limbs, I was writhing, panicking, it was as if my body was speaking in tongues. Their pace fluid, rhythmic as Tabla drums. Sweat and saliva dripped onto my body from his wide sickle mouth and moist brow. A sword, pierced my being, leaving a cut, never to be healed, not even now. They took turns, as if to win me over, to persuade my thought. It needn’t be that way, I lay there now, powerless, tears long gone, body numb to each thrust, I rot. What seemed like days, lasted but an hour. But the shower I took its duration was three. An apparition of what I was appealed to the court, my families, my neighbors, brothers and sisters. Recounting my tale, I sobbed and wept, each word I spoke hurt like popping blisters. They blamed me, for being alone on that day, and drinking too much before I slept. I described to them that I was held down like a sow and forced to feed to gain meat for show. The judge, with his ardent eyes peered over me, bestowed his ruling, set the men free. That, I could never agree. Ruling was simple, sleep paralysis and dreaming of crazy things. Shiva The Destroyer, I now have something to pray. Kill the men who forced me to lay. And ill bear the scars of lust and desperation to this day, and every day onward. The scene around me never looks as bright. I trudge through daily life, no longer am I a wife. I am nothing but a poor urchin on the street. Dust that has caked my limbs keeps me warm at night. The sky is endless, and so is this pain. I wish it could all be cleansed, refurbishing my body. I wish it would rain.