The Voracious Abstinence

A soul cry under a customary practice. (Free Verse)

I miss you.
There is a fire inside.
The flames are rising from deep attacking the inner walls.
I cannot bear without you.
Those convulsive fluids inside are hitting me hard.
Never I felt so greedy for what others might say craving for "it" badly.
Would I lose it? I am an expert in holding and controlling my self.
Then, I started thinking religiously.Yes, that 's right.
I am going to be blessed with what I seek if I accomplish this.
To divert, I spoke to my mom but her talk
couldn't bring down my burning need.
I realised that no diversions can help at this stage.
Is it my body or my mind, what is troubling me to this extent?
The serpent flames of yearning reached my heart.
Normally, it would pump with a beautiful rhythm.
But today, oh my god, it crossed all boundaries.
It is thumping for you badly.
To wait till night looks impossible. I must get you.
To divert myself from those thought, I turned on the computer
and surfed many things but nothing seems to help this time.
Television only flared up my quest for variety.
Yes, finally the night came. And now you are before me.
I will gulp you into me.
This time I prayed a bit.
I said my sorry to the God for my impatience.
Then, I grabbed you like a hungry tigress attacking its prey.
I am gonna bite, chew, munch and crush you.
I looked forward to this ecstasy for hours.
The real bliss is here.

I am taking you into my plate. Here I go.
And the pieces are going slowly down my throat
through the oesophagus into my stomach.
My wailing stomach started calming down.
Having something after twenty four hours,
of course I have been hungry whole day.
Since morning I have been on fast.
They say I should fast on this day for the welfare of my family.
And I think I fared it well.

Author's Note

Note: In India, in many traditions women have to keep fast for the long life and welfare of their husbands and children. They can eat the prescribed things at the end of the fast. Customs vary from place to place.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

WOW! This is very powerful! I know you wrote it from India customs, but it applies to many things in life that we become addicted to & this process of trying to abstain can be intense. I love the way you describe the sensations in such creative ways, starting with the more low-key descriptions of longing, & building up to the hungry tigress attacking its prey. Every description is unique & powerfully stated. Then in the last stanza, that gobbling consumption is so well described! Again, it could relate to any number of addictions in life! Great job! One of your best that I've read! (((HUGS)))

[Bala Gorthi]

I am glad that you read this one. I always wanted to know how you would find this piece ever since it was posted. Finally I got your words.
This is what I find about our cravings, hunger or even addictions as you have rightly pointed out. It was just a commentary how we feel. Thank you for visiting and appreciating.

[barleygirl]

I'm sorry I haven't been very attentive this summer. I get distracted by chronic pain, very hot temperatures, & our chaotic political times. Trying to focus on reading & writing again! (((HUGS)))

[Asante]

This gave me a little bit of an appetite. :) With that said, this kind of puts in perspective the aggression behind the appetite that many have here in the United States. It's something you don't really think about naturally, you know?

But, this was a very interesting piece that I genuinely got into a lot. As has become the norm, your use of imagery in unique, witty, but clear ways is exceptional and it always adds to your work. Pair that together with your very unique topics of choice and you have Bala's poetry! Of course I say so flatteringly, never to undermine just how talented and raw you are.

Fine, fine work as always, Bala.

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you, Asante for all that kind flattery. I loved the words Bala's poetry because that is how I want people to see my work. .l
As people we all are but a mix of many things joys, laughs, sorrows tears, emotion, tension, anger, hatred and kindness ,comedy, violence and melancholy. Let me see how many things I can bring out.
Thank you Asante for visiting and as always encouraging me with your kind words nod support.

[.]

Another interesting theme, Bala.

Having visited India in July, 2016, one of the many things I took home with me in my heart was the love of food that i witnessed during my month there. People seemed so relaxed and contented when they were eating. A joy unto itself. So, i can relate to the theme of this piece quite well.

You have written a nice poem, differently styled and on a rather original theme than one normally reads on cafe, so kudos for originality. Keep up the writing.

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you Doodley, for the visit and kind words. I am glad you understand the love of Indians for food. I hope you enjoyed the food of India too.

[aLittlePain]

I enjoyed this Bala! My mind drifted off to another type of hunger though ;) forgive me. I fast periodically mainly as a form of meditation, though recently I had to fast for medical reasons and it was awful...lol I seemed to be constantly hungry. Always enjoyable and so well written. R xo

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you Rach, for the visit and appreciation.
I know, the words are misleading as I have written it that way. I was amusing myself and having fun by writing it that way.. But that type of abstinence is also there in some types of soul purifying processes ( Deekshas) to cleanse the soul and to test our control. Some may extend to a few weeks. We have one " Ayyappa deeksha" which is the toughest one for men with one meal, a snack in the evening, no alcohol, no nonveg, no s--, daily worship, live bare foot, no mattress, sleep on the floor. You cannot even utter one word of abuse. Some people go for them when they want to give up alcohol, smoking and their bad habits.etc. Observing such things is a challenge and somewhere deep we develop a restraint.
Sometimes these things help us in our resolve..

[Michael S]

Nice and funny Write. I enjoyed reading this.

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you Michael, for your visit and the appreciation.:-):-)

[Lydia Shutter]

Fasting is never easy and somehow when a person knows she can not eat, she gets hungrier! Wonderful write. Sounded like you were craving a man for many lines! The longing was palpable! Great write. Lydi**

[Bala Gorthi]

Thank you Lydia, for your time and the appreciative words.
I keep nine day fasts during Navratri (a nine day festival of worship) and that is easy. For me, one day fasts are difficult. I feel, in all types of cravings the feeling is similar. I am glad you enjoyed this write.:-):-)

[Manu]

Haha, you know how to bring smile on my face.
I guess you love to drift readers mind in different direction and this works every time.
I too keep fasts but just for myself, so I could relate to this exact feeling.
Very well written free verse.
Kudos to this twisted write.

[Bala Gorthi]

Your words always encourage me, Gorthi. I am glad you liked the twist. You know how it feels. Moreover if we take a break from work on a day of fast, the hunger eats us literally. That was one such day.
Thank you for this uplifting review.-:)-:)-:)