Bonita Jewel
Sita
I) Setting
My daughter wants to return
to India. She remembers
only fried rice and golden
mangoes. I consider Sita.
II) Questions
Why did you join him, Sita? You had not been banished. Was it love, submission, expectations that
you walked by his side? Did you foresee the trial by fire he would call you to walk? When the welcoming mother opened her arms to you, did her acceptance consume a fire of shame?
III) Duty
You, approaching
the verdict by flame,
would have called
Amma. She was consumed
in her own spousal pyre
raging monsoons past.
IV) Prayer
Whose name would you call from within the fire? Would you find
one in the midst to embrace you or did your eyes open to only night?
V) Salvation
Fire is indiscriminate. Burns
pure and tainted. You falter
beneath unearned shame,
knee upon earth’s face, hand
on her rising warmth, comforting
your fingertips, palms, chest.
This mother welcomes you. Fire
burns on, blame his only food.
VI) Answer
Daughter, if you return, remember Sita.