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?
Short Stories | Fish-eye Perspective 