Listen to me, I am bruised by memories
The names you call me resound in my ears
Houri, Strumpet, witch, nymph, geisha, devadasi Born from a rib, banished from paradise
You put my jesus on the cross
I have borne and lost a hundred sons
I have been burnt at the stake, my husband’s pyre Disrobed before courtiers
Banished because of a washerman's words
Sundered by Zeus, in the guise of a swan straggled on the strength of Iago's
testimony So what if I bit the forbidden fruit,
Opened the box, caused a ten years war, loved
Yakut the slave Enticed
Lakshmana and tried to poison Krishna?
I have healed multitudes in Crimea, Calcutta Argued to save a pound of flesh
Sacrificed my infant to save a royal line
Fought in Greece to give my brother a decent burial
You have put me atop swan, lotus, lion Made me trample my consort
My tongue drips blood, serpents crawl in my hair
My smile frozen in your canvas, my body trapped in stone Remember, I have
given you a home
My arms sheltered your fears, desires
I have wielded scroll and sceptre, quill and sword Why then do you say