Says the Pandyan Queen to the King
Month After Month

ebbs
and flows
month after month
my blood river

month after month
she drowns
our daughter
the one we will never have.

Says the Pandyan King to the Queen
So Silken Our Daughter’s Skin

Even the water lily
within whose petals
I found her,
is put to shame.
So silken, our daughter’s skin.
Run your fingers over it. See for yourself!

Says the Pandyan King to the Queen
More Son Than Daughter

“You raised this daughter of ours
to be a warrior
and now she won’t look at a man,”
you complain.
But isn’t it thanks to her –
more son than daughter –
that we have our kingdom back?
Quit complaining and be glad.
Our Alli can do better than a man.

Says One Beggar Woman to Another
on the Streets of Madurai

Listen, Mother,
Pay no heed
to wagging tongues.
Our Alli has a tender heart.
Why, just yesterday
she nursed a fledgling
which the storm
had forced out of its nest.

Her fierceness, Mother,
is reserved for the wicked.
With the likes of us,
she is most gentle.
Go on. Don’t be afraid!
Knock on the palace gates,
ask to see her.

wilderness –
the scent of mogras
escapes notice

Says the Innkeeper to Arjuna
Our Alli Has Never Needed a Man

“I am yet to meet a woman immune to my charms.
Your Alli, I am sure, is no different,” you say.
Stranger, you will soon be eating your words.
Full red lips slender waist
raisin eyes skin softer than jasmine
fearless to a fault warrior beyond compare.
Our Alli has never needed a man.

Says Arjuna to Krishna Come What May
Come what may, I must have Alli.

You know how it is with me and women I fancy.
Conquer them, I must
or I can’t rest in peace.
Let’s go to her dressed as women.
Let’s trick Madurai’s warrior queen.

Excerpted with permission from Footnotes to the Mahabharata, K Srilata, Context/Westland.

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