Seer Petra F. Bagnardi

Seer

It begins with a simple edict. He forbids the women from wearing garments of rose, purple and crimson colours. For they feel like a sickness to the men. For they feed the darkness hidden within them. Then, he closes the theatres where the women let their souls soar. For the tunes stoke strange feelings within the men. A fake smile of paternal kindness upon his features, he allows only the boys to fill the schools – as the girls should stay safe and home. The women protest and linger outdoors defiantly. But the men grab them and drag them indoors. House walls inhale violence. The streets exhale emptiness. The despot breathes upon the village stories of infinite dangers. Everyone believes, afraid and enthralled. Flowers and grasses thrive amid the stones. A woman sees beyond the farce. She silently observes how he grows greedy for power and servitude. She calls upon the villagers now divided – jailers and prisoners. She becomes louder, and tries to coax the women out of their hiding. The despot bruises her flesh with stones, but her will shimmers fiercely. She covers her wounds with pink and purple silks, and plunges her feet in red. Down the streets she marches. At first, she walks alone. Soon, more women break the censure. Some of them wounded.

Petra F. Bagnardi