All That Glitters Is Not Gold | Rithika Iyer

Born out of fire and flames

History proudly proclaims,

But was caught in life's game

And put to dreadful shame.

Was I the reason for a battle so gory,

That is etched upon this land's story?

Didn't my respect and glory

Mean anything to the writings of history?

Born with a silver spoon, they say,

Oh, how do I convey

That my life paved the way

To a future of gore and decay?

Crowned a Princess by birth,

But had no voice or mirth

On this land, they call Mother Earth.

Covered in jewels to appeal,

Cloaked in dresses to reveal,

Not one cared about my voice of steel

And pushed me to seal my zeal.

The only one I could confide in

Was a man with a charming grin.

He stood by me through thick and thin

And played a song to let out all within.

Married to five men,

All of whom sought the same again.

Was I blessed?

Or had no choice but to stay oppressed?

Oh, how fortunate am I to have five mates,

If not one, another awaits.

Little do they know, life beyond the gates.

I don't bother to share

Their names and values so fair,

For I am sure you are aware

Of their might and compare.

But not a soul did care

For me and my despair,

As for them, the war to prepare

Was their love and daily affair.

Oh, my mates, you say the war was for my dignity,

But the truth is that my dignity

Was a cover-up for your bitter enmity.

You say your enemies put me to shame,

I say you are equal to blame.

A few words of wrath will defame

You and that wretched game.

I was gambled away

By my mate that day,

For respect, he lost in worthless play.

I was stripped of my wear

In front of all, everyone is aware.

But all my mates stood to bare

Their faces in deep despair.

Not one flinched to spare

Me and my pride from the vengeful snare.

Yes, I hurt a man's pride,

And I am worth ruthless deride.

But ripping my dress

In front of lust-filled noblesse

Is sinful and horrifying oppress.

Guided by a divine light,

I gathered all my might

And cursed them all despite

My state and plight.

With words so cruel,

I marked the beginning of a war and duel.

People say I was selfish, so be it,

I refuse to kneel and sit,

Or accept my disgrace and quit.

For thirteen years in exile and away,

I patiently waited to avenge and repay,

I counted every second and lay

Plotting to trap each and every prey.

There is a secret I wish to reveal,

But promise to conceal,

How I feel

About the man in the golden shield.

Yes, I have forgiven him,

For I love him to my heart's brim,

But cannot forget the act so grim,

All while he played the poor victim.

For days, the war was at play,

Both sides fought to display,

Their might to everyone's dismay.

I lost my love and kin,

Along with all the happiness within,

Did I sin,

Only wishing upon my win?

Yes, I won,

But what of the lives that came undone,

Post the battle that had begun?

I lost so much.

Was it worth all the grudge?

I sought to avenge,

In blind and cruel revenge.

My mates' consorts,

Snarled at me in deep distraught,

For my impulsive thought,

That put all through the misery of a dreadful sort.

I thought all would support me,

And avenge my plea in earnest glee,

For I have been wronged,

For years prolonged.

I have been alone,

For most of my life, I've known,

I've sat on a throne,

And also been thrown,

By all I own,

Bearing every shame like a stone.

My courage I will never lose,

Through time and abuse,

But what of all that is dead,

Including my future ahead?

This is my life,

And I will wield my knife,

Time and again to fight, to strive.

I had pleasures of all kinds,

But what resides behind the blinds,

Is misery and sorrow that winds and unwinds.

I lived on,

Every day from dusk till dawn,

Patiently waiting to be gone.

After years of reign that flew by,

My mates and I left to die,

While climbing a mountain so high,

I fell to my death with a silent sigh.

My life, I believe,

Was meant to grieve,

But all I seek to achieve,

Is to let you know my weave,

Of the story before, an opinion you conceive.