Blindfolded

When a vow is made, it becomes truth

Whatever may happen it must be fulfilled.

When she learned his affinity to blindness

She decided that she should not

Be superior to him;

If he could not see the world

She, too, should not see its wonder.

She covered her eyes with Gandhari’s cloth,

Joined him in his darkness;

Together, they shared their breath

Beyond eternal bondage.

Reviews

[KAin]

I remember reading this story, once. There's so much beauty in the decision of Gandhari to blind herself, so that her husband wouldn't be alone in his pain.
It takes a certain amount of bravery to sacrifice something like that - but I suppose that's what faith and love is all about. Well penned, indeed.

[Belle]

One of the many intentions why I put the subject into poetry is that I want the reader(s) to explore the value of self-sacrifice in the name of what one truly believes in along with the cultural value of immaterialism, though I am always open to the fact that this poem can still be taken in many different perspective and that no perspective is right or wrong. And I do understand completely knowing that some believe in some things, other believes in something altogether different...

I get to study recently Mythology in Contemporary Literature, and was able to explore the functions of the myth in literary pieces; it fascinated me more when I found out that almost all masters from the past have their own contribution to this genre—so here I am trying to have mine too ( you know. “ There are days when I like to think that the entire world hinges on stories, and that I need to do my part to contribute to it. “… and I am enjoying creating my "I consider" will be contribution...

[KAin]

The value of it is measured in the difference between loss and sacrifice. I've heard it put once that sacrifice is a choice you make, while loss is a choice made for you. The will to sacrifice requires a great deal of resolve, a heart at peace with any situation... and, perhaps most importantly, love... It's strange. You can boil down many of the greatest narratives in the world down to two concepts - love and hate. With these things, it's amazing how much so many storytellers have done, what kind of tales might be born from them.

I've always had a deep fascination with mythology from every culture; I think it's from reading ancient mythology that my love of storytelling developed, and those narratives often stem from core themes of love and hate. And I really do think the world revolves around stories... I think society today undervalues the power of good writing and just how important it is to the world. It's the soul of everything, and the doorway to other places, other times and other people. It's a door, not only into the past, but into the many forms of eternity.
But that's just me, of course... no doubt many people have their own reasons for being what they are.
As far as I'm concerned though, to write is to live... and to live is to write.

[Stephen]

~~ Vows`re always meant to be wrecking hearts & the truth simply gives some sympathy to accept ~~ what? The Affinity of blindness! ~~ Very thought-invoking piece.

"(I find some Art ~~ An ancient art in your pieces. Me too much fond of Arts which`s why I always love reading your stuffs)"

[nicolo]

I think that this would be so much better if you've written this in first-person. The power is there, but it was filtered because it wasn't direct.

[Belle]

I understood what you mean, Nicolo. Almost all my poem were written in a first-person speaker for the reason you mentioned...Thank you for letting me know what you think, what you feel of this one...

[jacob erin-cilberto]

looking at this again, i see similarities to oedipus rex and iocaste...the darkness, the seeing of what transpired, and then the blindness...together in tragedy.

this poem is so good...and that is evidenced by a reader being able to come back to same poem and find other meanings seep from its lines.

Real love, or forced love can both be blind ....
Chosen, or in denial. Thought provoking piece here ....

I think with that, I've said all :) thanks for sharing this one Belle.

- Elisa

[NeiL ArandA]

This is pure love in true humility. This is beyond mere vows and sacrificial . Its love divine! It reminds me of what Christ did for us. " Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Likewise with the love of the women in this piece . She would rather share with her mate's darkness than live ALONE by herself in the light . A true epitome of unselfish love looking for the best and greatest interest of others . You portrayed love in your piece at its highest and deepest level. To fathom it Belle defies logic and reasoning. Who would love something like this. Who would care and sacrifice something like this ? If our better half became invalid most likely the relationship is over. I have seen it in a real world . There are more bigger and better fish swimming in the ocean so why deprive herself ? Yet shes a rare beauty.

I like the way you end your piece here . " Beyond eternal bondage " .
Should I interpret it like this ~ Beyond perpetual darkness .
Love will always win and triumph no matter what and its light and beauty cannot be contained nor handicap by the absence of light. In this dark abyss, a world they both shared and lived . Love shined the brightest.

[Sami Khalil]

Sharing is giving and sacrificing is giving up something for another noble thing but with immense rewards for all. Putting others before us in love or humanity is relflective of the laws of gain and loss . Truth is always gainworthy and sacrificing is always praiseworthy...Thank you for sharing this wonder...:)

[Caradoc]

Interesting.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand it seems like a powerful statement of love that would could handicap themselves so as to not be better than their mate. Yet on the other it does seem rather foolish and unnecessary. Why would one do such a thing when you could instead help that person, shoring up their weakness with your strength?

Hmm...

Thought provoking.

-Cara

[Dye]

What a powerfully penned statement in this poem. Even if you removed the Gandhari reference you can feel the self sacrifice made. Some would argue that this was a testament to love and to share in the pain and some would argue the foolishness, to sacrifice so much for someone else. Nicely penned.

[Dhaye]

Another work inspired by Mahabharata. Submission and empathy- that's what Gandhari showed to her husband Prince Dhritarashtra. She felt she couldn't enjoy things that were denied to her husband..so she must join him in his pain.

Indeed when you have chosen someone to be your partner in life, you must bear in your heart and mind that you have that vow to be with him/her "in sickness and in health...in richness and poorness...until death".

In case of Gandhari, it's a sacrifice on her part because she doesn't want to be superior to him. Literally speaking, it is so moving, enough for her to be hailed as "sati" for such sacrifice. But in reality, when one's partner has a defect, should the other fulfill the things cannot be done by the former for their welfare? Instead of making oneself blind, why not become the "eyes" of the partner who cannot see?

Well, this is just my opinion, Ms. Belle. My stand is still to help my partner stand up and not to voluntarily fall when he's already on the ground. I think this is also a good subject for debate in an English class. But I'm not fond of debate anymore. LOL.

I commend you for making this splendid piece, Ms. Belle. Keep it up!