Comand and Covet

This is a piece I wrote after I saw a documentary of destituted sex workers who live in the underbelly of most cities.I am from India & have dedicated this piece to these helpless women & their plight

Dreaming of a light,

There seems no match for the fight.

Can I still burn in this alone?

These aren’t my sins that I atone.

 

What have I walked into?

Desolate, I now suffocate.

To place which I have no clue,

To separate, can someone please medicate?

 

I’m playing this game, helpless, I haven’t designed,

I see myself now and ever confined.

Can anything come and take me not doubting,

As I scream in my lungs,

Is there a sound you hear rousing?

 

My soul to command and covet,

I have stopped this day my regret

 

I see this glimmer,

Carpe diem before it grows dimmer,

Can I still break free off this spiral,

To what avail should I hold this title.

 

I’m climbing out of this wretched pit

Realizing this pain I carry,

To a place of skies evenly split,

To crawl out of this patch, I got to hurry

 

Find a home today,

A place where I can pray

Keeping these scars beneath me,

I watch as the time turns me gray,

Is there another way?

 

Done playing this game I haven’t devised,

I repair the now, not anymore confined.

There is someone to come and take me not doubting,

As I scream through my voice

There is a sound he hears rousing

 

Waking my soul to command and covet,

He knows no more than to breathe in my sweat.

Written By Roshan Nair
 Copyright © 2015 Roshan Nair

Author's Note

It is a really sorry existence these women are subjected too and it quelled my heart into writing this piece...the cruel hope and the vicious circle of vices they are put through every day. I appreciate any reviews and comments you have.

Reviews

[AaronFreitas]

Great poem and a great point of view. Many people don't realize the vicious cycle of sex workers and sex slaves in the world. I was watching Underworld INc. and they briefly covered sex workers in Thailand that had applied for 90 day visas to come to America... they are sent to America and pimped out... when their time is up they are shipped back. The entire time it is against their will and there is not much they can do about it. Great topic to write about.

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks aaron, I totally get what you're saying. Its a cruel reality and an even crueler world they're subject to. Cheers

[dan]

Roshan, I commend you for taking up the cause of those sold into sexual slavery. Social awareness can be instrumental in establishing yourself in mainstream poetry circles. But something struck me while reading this piece. Would you consider trying to rewrite this, but eliminate the rhyming? I still do this myself also: if you are not focusing on the rhyme it liberates you to write more freely, ideas flow from mind to page with less structure, therefore less constraints. This is really a good piece but I do believe the rhyming hindered you in saying what you wanted. Just a though, very nice job. take care...dan

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks for your ever kind review dan :) If never explored writing without rhymes, and as a poet I'm still getting over my inhibitions as a song-writer who usually thinks in terms of rhymes. Yeah it is hindering at times. I certainly will give writing with a free structure a shot, to see how it helps and more so, If I am any good at it :) The theme is something I hope gets more awareness with time and gets peoples will/effort galvanized to eradicate this malaise of society.

[dan]

Roshan, Please, by all means if you are not comfortable without rhymes then stay in your comfort zone. It was just a suggestion, please don't take it as a criticism. take care...dan

[Roshan Nair]

It's okay dan, I did take it as a suggestion :) it was something even I wondered about and think it might be worth a shot while working on a write sometimes. And I certainly didn't take offense or your words as criticism at all, you were kind enough to point out the pros of either style. Cheers :)

[Sami Khalil]

Helpless victims of this degrading trade and plight. The government should stop this vicious circle and society should understand the danger befalling these women and children...Bravo, sir for this wonderful penning......:)...........

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks sami :) Im glad you liked the piece. Its sorry situation, I hope theres more sensitivity in the governments dealing with such cases

[Sami Khalil]

Yep. You are welcome...:).......

[KWP]

Yeah wow - it is true these women suffer too much and I am sure they must wonder why they were born into such a life - I have a friend from Mumbai who has dedicated his time in helping such women.

Your work here is thought provoking and filled with the kind of sorrow that makes one angry from the inside out.

My only suggestion is to watch your rhyming :)

Nice work X

[Roshan Nair]

thanks a lot, yes.. mumbai has the worst of this world living under its guise of urbanism. But we hope these women and children do see a better day soon, the work of NGO's have been tremendously helpful.
The rhymes I realize seem a bit forced, Its an old piece and I just put it out here. will try working em soon :)
Thanks for the advice and review. cheers

[Tricia O'Brien]

Well done, powerful and clear shot to the point
Rad

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks a lot patricia, glad you liked it. cheers :)

[Jamestown]

Absolutely fantastic piece of work, your words and flow are prolific. The massage
is very rich as well, thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

[Roshan Nair]

Thanks a lot james, I really appreciate your review. Cheers