Yesha Shah

Bejeweled and bedecked bride with her head bowed
hesitant, reluctant, slow steps to the altar
draped in symbolic red, white and gold
with her Jasmine hair and turmeric glow.

Hesitant, reluctant, slow steps to the altar,
her heavy heart clinging to the maternal home
with her Jasmine hair and turmeric glow,
anklets tinkle, bangles chime on mehndi dyed hands.

Her heavy heart clinging to the maternal home,
fleeting glimpses of childhood flow through moist eyes
anklets tinkle, bangles chime on mehndi-dyed hands,
embers of the wedding fire reflect in diamonds.

Fleeting glimpses of childhood flow through moist eyes,
she yearns for her cocoon of love and warmth
embers of the wedding fire reflect in diamonds,
final verses chanted as the vermilion is applied.

She yearns for her cocoon of love and warmth,
On the threshold of womanhood, the beloved little daughter
final verses chanted as the vermilion is applied,
swaying marigold garlands around signify sanctity.

On the threshold of womanhood, the beloved little daughter
draped in symbolic red, white and gold,
swaying marigold garlands around signify sanctity
bejewelled, bedecked bride with her head bowed.