By Farzana Quader
Anguish I have known
From my pre-birth days
As a living foetus
In my sad mother’s womb.
Anguish I have known
When I was born
As a wisp of a female
Gasping for breath.
Anguish I have known
As a little infant
When the teacher entered my horizon
And the school bound me in chains.
Anguish I have known
In my adolescent days
When my grown body revolted
And vigil grew strict.
Anguish I have known
In the days of my youth
When social fetters bound me
And my mind roamed wide.
Anguish I have known
In middle-aged fears
When status symbols dominated
And imagination failed.
Anguish I have bequeathed you
To Time’s ripe mood
When wrinkles adorn my face
And life merges in age.
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