In the dark corner of the house adorned a crimson hued Tabrizi rug,
gifted to me as the wedding present, imported from the mountains;
of Hindu-Kush, embellished with poppy flowers and lovers’ passionate hugs
Violet borders bejeweled with a fine needlework of embroidered springs.
Especially handcrafted from the hands of a virgin maid with lofty desires
Intricately woven with the woolly knits and exquisite twisted golden wires
So how it became a constant companion in my otherwise blissful nuptial voyage
taking the shape and creases of my body in its crimson folds, so clairvoyant
We both grew to confide and embrace each other on moonless nights
During the dark nights I would hear vague cries and faint sighs
And would awoke by the silent sobbing and consistent choking sounds
The tormenting shrills one makes when inflicted with a fresh wound
After long desperate searches in the eerie neighborhoods in vain
I decided to hunt down the sniveling offender on a night when it rain
As I searched and rifled, discovered it came from the joints of the rug
Deep with in the sews of silverfish anklets and bangles, felt as if on high drug
Veiled and shackled a gaunt silhouette appeared in the woolen cracks
Thickened clots of cherry blood from bruised hands left its tracks
The sobbing sounds grew louder and a known voice pierced through
“My virgin hands intricately weaved the wires of gold and silver to woe
I dared to dance with my heart’s desire with men of different tribe
A misconduct for which I was to be buried-alive in sews and imbibe
Frozen embalmed in the embroidered joints I came back from death
When your warm saline tear cascaded in my mouth I finally took a breath”
We became lovers of sorts, embracing on moonless nights,
Fasted and prayed on our Tabrizi rug, shed tears, took gentle sighs
It became a seminary a refuge when her or mine master was around!
Until the inauspicious day of a long lunar month when we both were found
Castrated for our naked sins, she was burnt while I was forever hound!
A very intriguing and suspenceful narrative poem.
Thanks a lot Drac, I’m so glad you liked it. I am very fond of carpets and hence used it as an analogy to expose misogyny!
This so dark and beautiful. A tale of sorrow, helplessness, and hopeless dreams. The way you have embodied this in the carpet is marvelous. 🙂
Wow! what an imagination: a heart rending, tormented tale; I love how the rug ‘speaks’: eerie and impressive 🙂
Thanks for taking out time to read this, it’s a critique of misogynistic attitude. There is something intriguing about carpets esp the old ones …
you’ve done very well to use this carpet as the medium of the message 🙂
Thank you 🙂 I’m glad you liked it!
Your writing is so authentic. The flair of old times, the gothic scriptures and your words 💕
I’m humbled that you feel so, this poem actually is a take on our misogynistic society. Somehow I love carpets hence the inspiration!
You sure do and it was reflecting in your art work 🌸
Thanks 🙏 for your encouraging words!
My absolute pleasure
wow, very very impressive..and it has new words for me 😊
I like this one too, I’m very fond of oriental rugs hence the poem …