Death of a Patriarch

Posted on by Reena Saxena

the walls were stunned
to see the roof fall silent
and the ground moving
under patriarchal feet

My grandmother
recently widowed
spoke…
“I was never happy with him.”
-thirteen days of rituals
not yet over
but a truth spoken
amidst the encomiums
being showered by mourners
on the one that migrated

the daughters-in-law contradicted
“He always supported her.”
In conflicts with other women?
Yes, he stood by his wife…
but imposed his will
on her existence
in so many ways
known and unknown

Yes, he had to show her off
as the ideal, submissive woman
who sacrificed her individuality
for the family
“Look, she is a goddess
you should be ashamed of what you are
conniving, bitching
manipulative women..”
the men folk touched her feet
and continued to do
what they criticised the women for

The Goddess shunned the garlands,
stepped out of revered frames
alone, strong, confident
without the dominating force
Breathing free…
and the daughters-in-law
looked at her
with new-found respect
They were never adversaries
They just failed to be friends.

W3 Prompt #155

18 thoughts on “Death of a Patriarch”

    1. True.

      I came across a case where the couple has been separated for sometime, but not divorced. The husband who had ill-treated the family all along met with an accident that turned him into a vegetable. The family had to care for him with the help of eldercare assistants for 2-3 years. Finally, when he died I heard the wife say in a morose tone, “But of course, my life cannot be the same.” I was tempted to say it will be better, but restrained myself.

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