The Murder of a Feeling

a poem by Sushil Kansal

Despite the ban
On sex determination tests,
The radiologist consented,
And opened the door to the inner chamber.

Feeling the bulge with the sensor,
His eyes intent on the monitor,
His mind counting crisp currency notes,
He deciphered the sex of the unborn child.

Nonchalantly the gynecologist did her job,
The nurse forwarded the towel after it was all over,
A couple of antibiotics and a pain-killer were prescribed,
The husband merely said: ‘You need a day’s rest.’

Twenty-four hours later,
She was back in the kitchen,
Cooking the family meal,
While he managed routine office-files.

The tender feelings of the unborn girl child,
The maternal feelings of the hapless mother,
Splattered in blood in a kidney tray
Were thrown into the garbage.

Indeed, God is in his heaven
And all is right with this male chauvinistic world!