My theme for this year’s Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is Crime Stories in 55 Words. Today’s story, D is for Domestic Violence…
The maroon dot on her forehead signifies female energy. 
The black beaded mangalsutra around her neck protects from evil.
The red 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.
You can check out my A-Z posts thus far by clicking on a highlighted letter!
89 Responses
breathtakingly beautiful, until the colours changed – thank you for highlighting this Shilpa.
Thanks a lot, Susan. Glad you liked this attempt!
Splendid! Though it is a heart-breaking story, the use of colors are just beautiful, Shilpa 🙂
Thank you, Shalini 🙂
Such a relevant story and nicely done with the colours.
Thanks Sanch!
Great story as always. But please tell me that at least a few of yoru story will by happy.
Thanks Sarah! I’d want that too, but am wondering if that’s possible with crime stories 😛
Those powerful symbols sometimes are taken as license for giving some horrible blue marks.
Yeah, some people think that way, sadly!
Powerful write Shilpa. The contrast between the meaning of symbols and the reality. Brilliant.
Thanks you liked this 55er, Raj!
Love how the colours go from bright and vibrant to dull and lacklustre. A sad story, well told
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie!
Appreciate the symbolic representation of her make up, ornaments etc….. and above all the bleak reality related with this regarding some cases. Another lovely fiction 55!
Thank you, Sheela!
I really like the way you have used colours to highlight different things in a married life.
Very different take on domestic violence.
Thanks a lot, Tarang! Glad you liked this attempt!
This is such a powerful write Shilpa. Higlighting the social issue with change in colors.
Rarrely have I seen such unique takes on the topic
Thanks a lot, Ramya. Glad you liked this 55 word story and the take on DV!
How beautifully you have captured an ugly truth about Indian marriages!
Theme: Peregrination Chronicles (travel)
D is for Dolphin Delight in Goa #atozchallenge
Thanks a lot, Shalini!
This is simply ‘blow me out of the water’ awesome, Shilpa. How wonderfully you brought the colours together and the stark contrast too. Take a bow!
Thanks a lot, Shailaja. Glad you liked this one.
Did I tell you that your are rocking with your flash fictions in 100 words too 🙂
Sigh!!!! How the colours change….how the postive signs turn into something brutal and negative
A sad reality for so many!
Domestic violence is such a curse. I wonder why people stay in such abusive relationships!
Happy AtoZing!
Chicky @ http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com
I know that’s a big question, but am sure they must have their reasons.
Brilliant write up but really heart breaking! Loved the symbolic representations
Thank you, Swathi!
So often unspoken topic, well done for writing about it so well.
Thank you, Miss Andi!
The way the colors change… Well written!
Thank you, Sreesha!
Colors of human nature aptly described. Loved this, as I am loving your other posts, Shilpa!
Thank you, Mayuri. Glad you are liking this series!
What an irony, depicted impeccably Shilpa. I pray that the scenario changes in our motherland as early as it can.
Truly Yours Roma
Oh yes, no woman should go through this abuse, ever!
The seriousness of the issue well described in few words Shilpa
Thanks Jayashree!
Sadly, it is true in so many households even today! And you brought it out just perfect!
Cheers
Yes, this is a sad reality for many women! Thanks Geetika.
It started out so beautifully. I certainly wasn’t expecting it to end as it did. Moving.
Another day in Amble Bay
Glad you liked it, Keith. Thank you!
Domestic violence makes such a mockery of such sacred symbols. Nicely portrayed
True that. Thanks Suzy!
I loved the way you used colours to show the transition, the blue overshadowing all other colours is heartbreaking.
Glad you liked this attempt, Shubhangi. Thanks!
Gosh! Story of so many women, no? Painful truth. Hugs Shilpa!
Yes, a grim and a sad reality! Hugs, Vidya!
What a wonderful theme idea. Your writing is succinct and powerful. As a novelist, I can’t begin to imagine creating a story in 55 words instead of 55K! lol Brilliant!
Angelica French
A-ZPersonalityQuirksforWriters
Thanks a lot for your kind words, Angelica. Good to see you here 🙂
Simple, powerful imagery.
I’ll be sure to check out the rest of your posts. Stories told in only a few words are an art form, and I enjoy them immensely.
Thanks for dropping by Arpan. Am glad that you liked these 55ers.
Beautifully intertwined colours with their significance. Will be back for more
Thanks for dropping by and looking forward to see you again, Namratha 🙂
Beautifully penned Shilpa. Another sad reality of our society.
Thank you, Deepa!
Words are greatly weaved…colourful yet leaves me with a teardrop!
Thanks Zainab!
🙁 Sigh. I wonder if there would be a day when we would actually see a world sans these crimes. I’ve been away a while, but I’ll keep dropping by. Good luck for the rest of the challenge.
Hope that we do see a day! Thanks Deepa and good luck to you too!
I’ve been saying it for years now – don’t think anyone can beat you at the flash fiction format. How have not made your own e-book featuring all these tales over the years? Surely, you must have a 100 by now.
You are sooooo generous, Roshan. No, there’s a lot to learn and write still. And no, haven’t thought of compiling these, though as of today, I have written some 157 55 Fictions on this blog 🙂
I liked the way you have used colours to bring out the painful truth that a lot of women suffer. Just 55 words and so much meaning!
Thank you, Reema. Glad you liked this one!
Sad that those unneeded colors come into the picture! Beautifully written.
Thank you, Vinay!
That is very powerful words Shilpa, and sadly that is how the case is for a lot of women across the world in all communities.
Yeah, that’s true and we see DV in all strata of life too. 🙁
The use of the colours in the story just enhances the shock value of the whole deplorable truth of domestic violence. Brief and meaningful, that’s what this post is!
Awesome work with the theme, Shilpa ❤
Thank you, Mithila. Glad you think so! 🙂
I loved how you used colors in your post to signify things about marriage and the violence. You are such a star of flash fiction.
Thanks a lot for your kind words, Parul!
Sad how none of the colors could protect from the black and blue. =(
~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
Yes, sadly that’s how they change for some women!
Chilling twist. When will this scourge be eliminated?? This speaks to me because not only are many women abused, but the abuse levels of those with disabilities (men, too) is particularly horrifying.
I sincerely hope that no woman goes through this trauma and abuse of DV, ever.
Again, another very persistent reality.
Hmmm… 🙁
Beautiful pic of the woman; and so well explained shilpa, in a short and small post, you have spoken volumes…. domestic violence is a reality not only among the poor but affects all strata of society, I was shocked to encounter women who work in the IT sector, well educated, financially sound and independent but living in a exploitative and abusive situation. Great job shilpa!!
You are absolutely right, Genevive. DV is not restricted to uneducated or lower classes but women from educated and upper classes are subjected to this abuse too. So sad this is!
That’s ironical and so very heartbreaking.
True that!
if only the color blue wasn’t meant to show the domestic violence!
If only…
Heartbreaking, but you have managed to capture the emotions in so few words. Great job!
Nice Post …………@…………..!
Domestic violence really very heinous crime. People need to take a strong step against the domestic violence. Your article boosts the confidence of those people who face the domestic violence, and give the strength to fight against it….. !
Thanks for sharing………!
Waiting for you next post……!