Queen Kaikeyi (Mythological Monologues #17)

I am stranded 

In the arid desert of remorse

For fourteen long years;

Each day, I struggled to breathe

Each year, I longed for some rain

That can heal my parched heart,

Yearning for love and affection. 

I- Queen Kaikeyi lost everything

When I let the storm of greed

The strong winds of hate

Enter my heart and

Blew away my Utopia,

Burn my temple of love

Leaving ashes of my sin everywhere. 

My life was a beautiful Arcadia

I- Queen Kaikeyi, a brave warrior,

Skilled at playing various instruments

The favorite queen of Ayodhya;

I saved King Dasharath's life.

I loved Rama more than my own son, Bharata

Due to Rama's incomparable skills and virtues;

An ideal wife, mother, warrior

I claimed to be, with foremost pride.

I was oblivious when the seeds of desire 

To be better than Queen Kausalya

Gave birth to a poisonous tree 

That destroyed my Arcadia.

I let my maid, Manthara

Take ownership of my mind

And banished Rama from Ayodhya

To see Bharata as the ruler of Ayodhya

Resulting in the King's death. 

In the blinking of my eyes, 

I lost my husband and beloved son

Got cursed by my son, Bharata

A despised Witch from an admired Queen

In the eyes of everyone. 

I am stranded 

In the arid desert of repentance

For fourteen long years;

It never rained once in the desert

I have forgotten what love feels like

I have forgotten what living feels like

I kept praying for death each day. 

Rama is in my room after all these years

I weep, knowing I do not deserve his respect

With folded hands and clammy eyes, 

I pray for forgiveness at Rama's feet

"Mother! You contributed to the Cosmic Drama

Without you, Ravana would not get killed."

I look into Rama's lotus-like eyes

As he says those words with a calm smile. 

My penitence, aches, and burns

Transforms into a serene river

After years, I breathe with ease

My heart radiates love and kindness;

Liberated I am from my sins and guilt

By the merciful glance of Rama

My beloved son, the Lord of the Universe. 

©Purba Chakraborty

20.04.2020

Note: Kaikeyi is the third queen of King Dasharath in the Hindu epic, Ramayana. She is the mother of Bharata. 

Partha (Mythological Monologues #16)