Blue Painting – Pink Painting

She tries avoid looking in that general direction

Where, in her room, hangs the pink painting–

A gift from someone who loves but doesn’t understand.

Her eyes roam everywhere except that wall.

You could mount a stag’s head there and she wouldn’t notice.

She doesn’t want to notice

the typecast.

….

In his room, hangs a blue painting,

Something he bought along colourless clothes

To erase all doubt per chance;

Something he hated at the first glance;

A reminder of the bondage that sets him in the mould

And throws him in the inferno

Hoping he would fit the cast.

…

Wish they could switch…

Wish they do switch…

Nothing worse than a painting

That speaks against your heart.

---

Kash asman surkh aur zameen neeli hoti,

Sabko apna jahan khud rangne ki ijazat mili hoti.

Translation

If only the Sky was red;

If only the Land was blue;

If only everyone had the right

To colour their own view.

Author’s note: A lot is often lost in translation. Please read the last bit again with the following in mind:

Asman or Sky is considred male in Urdu while Zameen or Land is considered female.

What do think about typecasting people in gender roles?