STOP.
The red dot on her forehead signifies female energy.
The black beaded mangalsutra around her neck protects from evil.
The bright vermilion in her hair parting is to bring about good fortune.
These powerful symbols of marriage soon loose sheen.
For they are now dulled by blue marks and the grey clouds of domestic violence.
This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda
Image Courtesy : Google Images
September 16, 2013 12:28 am|
That’s a really striking 55 worder. Well done, Shilpa.
September 16, 2013 11:47 am|
Thank you, Shail 🙂
September 16, 2013 6:26 am|
How efficient this flash fiction looks and what a strong message. Wow, Shilpa!
September 16, 2013 11:48 am|
Thanks a lot, Kajal 🙂
September 16, 2013 7:38 am|
Point well made Shilpa. God knows when society will stop applying all colors that it wants violent or otherwise and let her be just what she wants! Domestic Violence is indeed a huge problem in todays India.
September 16, 2013 12:02 pm|
Well said, Jayashree. DV is a a big problem and usually it goes unreported. Behind closed doors of homes, women are being tortured, beaten and killed. It is happening in rural areas, towns, cities and in metros as well. In fact it is seen in all social classes and age groups too. The worst is that the victim rarely speaks up about it and her children are scarred for life too! 😐
September 16, 2013 8:02 am|
Lovely use of 55F to deliver a powerful message!
September 16, 2013 12:03 pm|
Thank you PI 🙂
September 16, 2013 8:28 am|
Excellent 55 Fiction. Thanks.
September 16, 2013 12:05 pm|
Thanks SG 🙂
September 16, 2013 8:30 am|
Powerful words, Shilpa!
September 16, 2013 12:05 pm|
Thank you Rachna 🙂
September 16, 2013 8:43 am|
Sad truth sometimes:(
September 16, 2013 12:06 pm|
True, a very sad and grim reality! 🙁
September 16, 2013 9:32 am|
My heart did a double take at the last line, Shilps. Love, Vidya
September 16, 2013 12:13 pm|
I can relate to your feelings, Vidya. It is just that domestic violence is so rampant in our country and the sad reality is that countless women live with violence and fear and cover up the problem on a daily basis too!
September 16, 2013 9:39 am|
Really powerful…brilliant @Shilpa!
September 16, 2013 12:13 pm|
Thank you Rekha 🙂
September 16, 2013 10:19 am|
very well written using the colours as prompt. Indeed its enough to taking it lying down.
September 16, 2013 12:16 pm|
Thanks Kalpana. While DV is a crime, the victims are forced to believe that it is their fault. And since their spouses or close family members are involved, they prefer to keep quiet about it and suffer it silently. Wish they realize that they are not alone and that help is available!
September 16, 2013 11:14 am|
Just a wonderful use of colours to denote an issue troubling us for long. A beautifully written piece Shilpa…
September 16, 2013 12:19 pm|
Thank you Richa!
September 16, 2013 12:25 pm|
The prompts were very well used Shilpa !
September 16, 2013 12:46 pm|
Thank you Ruchira 🙂
September 16, 2013 12:36 pm|
More and more women are speaking for themselves and shunning these superstitions. I am hopeful that the blues and greys will change soon too.
September 16, 2013 12:50 pm|
Yes, there is an awakening and many women are vocal about the crimes committed against them but still there are a lot who prefer to keep quiet about it and suffers the trauma and the humiliation for years altogether!
September 16, 2013 12:44 pm|
Can a 55er get better than this? Nope.
September 16, 2013 12:45 pm|
Why is my my twitter handle(that I never ever use) finds its place here when I do not even enter it? O-o
September 16, 2013 12:51 pm|
Glad you liked this 55er, Shilpa.
No clue about the twitter handle mystery!!
September 16, 2013 1:17 pm|
Nice imagery and crisp 55er.
September 16, 2013 1:25 pm|
Thanks a lot, Gyan 🙂
September 16, 2013 3:14 pm|
So much can be said in so little words
September 16, 2013 9:34 pm|
True! When are you gonna write a 55er?
September 16, 2013 4:40 pm|
A thought provoking message through colors! WOW…I liked it very much
September 16, 2013 9:34 pm|
Glad you liked it, Sheela 🙂 Thanks.
September 16, 2013 5:06 pm|
Well said. Engrossing..!!
September 16, 2013 9:35 pm|
Thanks Aakanksha! 🙂
September 16, 2013 6:03 pm|
In just a mere 55 words you have brilliantly captured the essence of domestic violence. Loved how you weaved colors into your story.
September 16, 2013 9:37 pm|
Thanks a lot, Kathy. This post is in response to a prompt where a post should have five different colours acting as adjectives for five important words, around which write-up revolves. 🙂
September 17, 2013 1:34 am|
Strong, very strong post yet again Shilpa. This is one of the ugliest truths ever.
September 18, 2013 3:40 pm|
Thanks Pree! True, a very ugly truth which is a sad reality for so many!
September 17, 2013 10:22 am|
Really brilliant take on the prompt! very powerful message.. Loved it Shilpa..
September 18, 2013 3:41 pm|
Thank you Seena 🙂
September 17, 2013 12:13 pm|
Am in love with these 55 and 100 word fiction! This one esp is soo well writen…… There are times when those blue marks are not on body but on the heart..
September 18, 2013 4:22 pm|
Thanks Meena. Yes and the ones on the heart take the longest to fade and sometimes… never!
September 17, 2013 1:10 pm|
You are blogsville’s ” wordsmith” shilpa. Excellent 55er.
September 18, 2013 3:43 pm|
You are tooo kind, Asha! Thanks 🙂
September 17, 2013 5:05 pm|
Wow…Shilpa you have done a wonderful job in just 55 words. Touched.
September 18, 2013 3:44 pm|
Thanks a lot, Sugandha 🙂
September 17, 2013 8:30 pm|
Very true.
And it is also true that now a days we hardly adorn ourselves with all these, violence or no violence.
Apt message
September 18, 2013 3:44 pm|
Yeah… changing times…. 🙂
September 18, 2013 12:07 pm|
Interesting use of the prompt Shilpa.
Unfortunately..none of these symbols stop a cruel man from raising his hand on his wife 🙁
September 18, 2013 4:09 pm|
Well said, Vinita, while men treat their wives as property what is truly sad is that so many women are stuck in violent, abusive and loveless marriages because it’s a social stigma to be single or divorced. Also, parents encourage the women to stick around with her husband even when they know that he is abusing their daughter!
September 18, 2013 12:43 pm|
That’s one reason why self-sufficiency is very important. That will give the courage for a person to stand up to such acts.
Destination Infinity
September 18, 2013 4:21 pm|
True, if a woman is self-reliant, she would have the confidence and the courage to move out of such an abusive relationship.
September 18, 2013 6:43 pm|
I want to see a day when certain colours are dedicated to menfolk who ill treat the lady.And that colour is black,preferred area is the face.
How I wish someone took the initiative
September 18, 2013 10:06 pm|
We would love that too!!
September 19, 2013 9:39 am|
Well written Shilpa!
September 19, 2013 4:13 pm|
Thanks a lot, Swapna 🙂
September 19, 2013 7:07 pm|
Simple, bold, deep, meaning full but painted with pain!!
September 20, 2013 11:58 am|
Thanks Hemant!