Born via Wrong Placenta

Summary

The web content is a poignant reflection on the struggles of marginalized individuals, using the metaphor of a plant growing "between a rock and a hard place" to explore themes of caste discrimination and resilience in the face of adversity.

Abstract

The article titled "Born via Wrong Placenta" presents a thought-provoking poem under the prompt "Paper Poetry Prompt#3," which uses vivid imagery to depict the life of a plant growing in inhospitable conditions, symbolizing the plight of individuals born into a caste system that relegates them to the bottom of the social hierarchy. The poem describes the plant's relentless struggle for survival, facing societal neglect and discrimination, yet remaining apolitical and unacknowledged. The author draws a parallel between the plant's predicament and the experiences of people who were historically forced to perform menial and degrading tasks, such as carrying refuse and being denied entry into temples. Despite these challenges, the plant, much like the oppressed individuals, continues to cling to life, displaying resilience and a will to endure. The footnote provides context to the poem, revealing the author's personal connection to the subject matter through a narrative shared with their children about the caste divide witnessed during their childhood. The poem is a response to the prompt 'between a rock and a hard place,' and the author expresses gratitude to Suntonu Bhadra for organizing the Paper Poetry challenge.

Opinions

The author conveys a critical view of the historical caste system, highlighting the injustice and stigma faced by those at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
There is an emphasis on the resilience and endurance of marginalized individuals, who continue to strive for existence despite being caught in a web of societal constraints.
The poem suggests that the discrimination faced by these individuals is akin to growing up in an environment devoid of nurture, symbolized by the harsh conditions of growing "between a rock and a hard place."
The author expresses a sense of astonishment at society's blindness to the discrimination and the resilience of the affected, indicating a hope for increased awareness and change.
The gratitude expressed towards Suntonu Bhadra implies a recognition of the importance of creative platforms in addressing and reflecting upon social issues.

Paper Poetry Prompt#3

Photo & scribbling by author

A seed thrown in a mindless fling germinated far and above life’s din splaying rootlets tussled to brace between a rock and a hard place

Oblivious to future and past cringe sizzling under scorching sun’s wink unflinching to winter’s icy witch tethered roots below cement lump where all garbage we used to dump apolitical in its unheeded birth away from garden’s fraternal girth dangled in dilemma of lowly race Restrained stains of indelible ink between the rock and a hard place

A victim of occluded sensibility untouchable to any serendipity sipping same soil, sucking same air toiled extremes sans kind deity shrouded in miasma of discrimination astonishingly though passers-by blink leaves' green ebb, boughs with kink crumbling, contused beneath carapace To whatever substrate it may cling between a rock and a hard place.

Footnote: I narrated the story of the caste divide prevalent when I was a child to my city-bred son and daughter. In those times, certain people carried other’s refuse in baskets on their heads to dumping sites & later went door to door for collecting cooked meals in return. This used to be a daily practice for them. They were not even allowed to enter the temples. These underprivileged souls suffered the stigma of being born between a rock and a hard place.

In response to Paper Poetry Prompt#3: ‘between a rock and a hard place'

Thanks to Suntonu Bhadra for organizing these prompt challenges through Paper Poetry.