Roses, Lilies & Hybrids
My body bleeds
it bleeds with flowers
of roses, lilies, and hybrids
of a garden, I nourish every few hours.
But as my mother would often say
a garden should be viewed
and not been entered through
like a brand new doll woven and sewed
should be displayed in perfection
not let loose.
She doesn’t know that times have changed
for my body bleeds of rebellion and rage
from the thorns of the roses and hybrids
that pricked me with a cast
to pick my own battles and make them last.
Even today, my body bleeds with the tenderness my mother once so fondly spoke about
And of the uproar, I learned to be out loud.
– Caren Mascarenhas, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Writers’ Association, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, was founded with the intention of providing a forum where members may share and develop their critical and creative writing skills.