Tinted to the left

 I see my sister drifting peacefully in the water

It's strange because she was never a swimmer

I remember those hot summer days

I remember the cool water's embrace

My sister wanted to learn how to swim in that water

Dad would hold her steady, try to teach her

Oh boy, did she ever kick and scream with joy

She would bring a crowd with her voice

This one time she broke free from my father's grasp

She kicked and screamed as the pool filled her lungs

Within seconds we could not hear her voice

As she became one with that cool water

Heroic dad, dove and pulled her up

She coughed up a lung but her exuberance returned

I imagine she kicked and scream just the same

On that summer night when five guys surrounded her

I imagine she reached out for my father's hand

Begging for him to dive for her one more time

She must have drown for hours in that alley

Before someone found her unconscious body 

She was so peaceful when I saw her

In the embrace of something I did not understand

Sedated by the diluted morphine in her IV drips

But her body, her body carried the story

Bruises of the transient

Battering of the errant

Fracturing of  the fickle

I could not see her like this

Give me justice I screamed where my sister could not

Give my sister justice I screamed at the officer

He looked to the left through the tinted car

"we will catch who did this, go be with your sister"

My sister would not speak

Something unknown filled her lungs

Three days after she stood atop a bridge on Yamuna River

I wanted to scream "please don't leave me"

I wanted to tell her how much she means to me

I wanted to show her that she is still loved

I wanted to hold her in that bear hug

I wanted to give her my her voice

I wanted to kick and scream for her

But how can I ask her to live when she cannot breath

How can I ask her to live if I cannot hear her

How can I ask her to live if I cannot understand her

Yes she took that step forward

Yes she drifts down the river

But NO! She did not take her life

I stood in grief as the politician said through their tinted glasses

"We will protect our daughters and mothers and sisters"

"Elect me"

I stood in grief as the news stations said through the tinted monitor

"We will keep you updated with the latest news"

"Watch us"

I stood in grief as the priest said holding the tinted rosary 

"May her soul find salvation, may she rest in gods arms"

"Pray with me"

I stood in grief as the friends said in their tinted words

"She is in a better place now, it is very unfortunate"

"Come be with us"

And I stood in grief as they all drifted apart

I understand now that women are born falling in this country

I understand now that we do little to stop them from sinking

So what will you say as I stand here grieving 

What will you do to stop your sister from drowning

    _r.d.