Lament for Sisters, Priya Sridhar

Cruel words are sharper

Than a toad's warm belly

Rubbing against a lady's ankle,

Docile and waiting for

A hand to smack them

Into the driest soil

Meters from hospitable ponds.

Yet diamonds fall with kindness

And roses with curling thorns.

So we stand here, afraid to speak

For fear of piercing the barren cottage

With the fairy's rewards

For our words, and our water.

I would prefer a frog

To escape from my lips

Rather than the sharp diamonds

That cut through my throat

And thorns that prick,

Drawing endless blood.

What use is a marriage

Or a handful of jewels

When I lack the weight of your hand

Railing against mine? 

I'd prefer to see your smile

And solemn morning greeting

Such cruel names and taunts

Merit hard rubies and pearls 

Yet I welcome each one

Shattering the heart

Like a diamond knife

Stabbing a white periwinkle bouquet

A word can pierce, or protect

While toad can hop

And jewels only clatter.

Onto hostile grounds 

Give me all your sharpness

So that I know you are my sister

You are lovely and you love

Despite what you say

That makes my tears pool

Onto uncaring stones

And snarled green thorns

Adorning burgundy roses.

Priya says, "Laksha Media has accepted 'Memoriam' for publication in their 2017 anthology Where the Stars Rise. Beneath Ceaseless Skies accepted 'Jeweled Nawab Resort' for publication in spring 2016. Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Paula R. Stiles published 'The Opera Singer' in the 2015 Lovecraftian anthology, She Walks in Shadows. Alban Lake released my novella 'Carousel' for publication in fall 2014." Priya has numerous other writing credits.

Art by Amanda Bergloff.