Audacity
a violin and a girl went
up a street in the nation’s capital
daring to walk unaccompanied.
acid flung at her face
carving deforming contours, stripped
identity, burned her inside and out. Yet,
tyranny shall not be allowed to succeed.
Yet, in spite of it all, she will rise again and bloom.
©Namratha Varadharajan
Poetry type:
ACROSTIC poem using the title as the acrostic word.
INSPIRATION/CAUSE for the day: Acid Attack Victims, Stop Acid Attack.
The inspiration for the poem ‘Audacity’ are the victims of acid attacks in India who have risen back from the smouldering ashes like a phoenix. Laxmi, who is the co-founder of Chhanv – a support centre for acid attack survivors and Stop Acid Attacks initiative, is the most well-known ‘face’ of acid-attack survivors. She has fought against the sale of acid in India, gaining ‘disability status’ for acid attack survivors(which in effect as of April 2017), while providing the support needed for victims. You can read more about her and her journey here.
Over the past few years, the victims have started fighting back valiantly with all guns blazing. The various constitutional amendments as well as increased awareness, has resulted in the overall reduction in the number of acid attacks in the country as well as emotional strength and care for the fighters. However, the number of acid attack survivors reported in 2017 in India stands at 47, according to Acid Survivors. Until, the number becomes ZERO, there is still work to be done. Visit them to see how you can help.
If you are inspired by this cause, do consider supporting them either monetarily or by volunteering, with your words or by sharing my post.
For each letter this April, I shall be presenting a poem inspired by ‘something’ that is making our world a little bit kinder, a little bit greener. The ‘something’ is a mix of people, movements, thoughts, or organizations who are having a positive influence on the world around us. Read all the posts in ‘Poetry For A Cause’ series by linking the button below.
“CHANGE BEGINS WITH AWARENESS” 
The strength shown by survivors of acid attacks is truly remarkable indeed. Very powerful poem and beautifully written.
Thank you Subroto😊
Namrata, your poetry is very strong in emotions. Loved it!
Cheers
MeenalSonal from AuraOfThoughts
Thank you Meenal
Just fabulous, Namratha! You´ve conveyed so much in so little. Love the style and brevity of the poem.
Thank you Tina. Glad you liked it
Hats off. This is superb post and love the poem. I have many times written about Laxmi and how she is now and inspiration for the society. She is tougher now and working so hard to raise voice against such attacks. Please check my ‘A’ post here (Theme-Indian Spices): http://www.vibhuandme.com/2018/04/a-for-alkanet-root-magical-spice.html
Loved this! Thank you for sharing it! Definitely looking forward to the rest of your blogs during this challenge!
This is a heartbreaking cause and an amazing way to start of AtoZ, keep it up!
Jamie Lyn Weigt | Theme: Odds and Ends Dragons | Writing Dragons
The confidence in Laxmi ‘s eyes, the knowledge that she fought her battles and came out a winner says it all! She may be scarred, but she is definitely not scared!
Stop acid attacks!
Loved it! Loved it!! Loved it!!! Glad I came here and read a great piece of writing. Keep shining!
Thank you:)
Namrata if you like, there’s a blog and Facebook group that would like to spread this message/poem with their audience:
https://iamnotasilentpoet.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/721114444630517/
I’m just a member of that group, so you’d need to contact them yourself.
Thank you so much for that information Angela:) I will contact them and see how it goes:)
I’ve shared your poem on Facebook and tagged Reuben, the driving force behind the pages. He’s interested!
Thank you Angela. I just sent in a request to join the group. It will be great if you can tag me too. This is my Facebook id:
https://www.facebook.com/namratha.varadharajan
Facebook won’t let me tag, we probably need to be friends. Mine is Van Son Coaching
A lovely acrostic poem showcasing the audacity of people, especially of women to rise above all that is thrown across for a life that is well deserved.
That was very sensitive poem. I like your theme a lot. Being a big fan of poetry I see I can learn a lot of new poetry styles with you this April!
Axis attack victims are often treated with contempt without any fault of theirs. Very disheartening it is..
Thank you Nibha. I am planning to showcase as many simple types of poetry as I can with the focus being to get out the message.
Spellbound. What an amazing start to the challenge, Looking forward to read more.
Mrs Dash’s Tongue Twister for A
Thank you. Do visit again.
That was a fun tongue twister.
Its terrible that someone could be so mean to hurt another so badly and unfair that the punishments are not big enough. Its good to know how you’re helping through poetry.
Thank you Smitha. Do share your link for easier access to your blog
Sure Namrata. Have provided it below.
So sad that acid attacks are even a thing but inspirational to see those impacted by the horror rising up to fight back to stop them from happening and helping survivors in their recovery.Weekends In Maine
It is really sad thing and equally scary. Hats off to those who have been through it for rising and fighting back
Such a powerful poem and beautifully written. These women have such inner strength to keep going in the face of such an awful attack. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to you future poems.
Pamela @ Days of Fun
Their resilience and inner strength must be incomparable. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
The last line took me away, Namrata. There is so much courage and will-power in the world around, even if we take an ounce we can do a lot. A great tribute to start A2Z. 🙂
There really is a lot of strength in the people around us and until we are in a situation that requires our resilience we aren’t sure what we are capable of. Thank you Rashi.
Such a great theme for A to Z, and such an important cause. It always makes me shudder to try to imagine what goes on in someone’s mind who does an attack like this.
Happy A to Z!
The Multicolored Diary: Weird Things in Hungarian Folktales
Thank you. I love your theme too. It is so unique!
This is a beautiful cause and well written… looking forward to this series.
Godyears.net
This is such a brilliant theme Namy. What a beautiful, hard hitting tribute.
Loved it. Sharing and coming back for more. All the very best, you will be stellar as always.
Thank you Natasha😊
Wow! Poetry stems from a cause- this is a great double whammy. You made that acrostic look so easy. I feel like trying now 🙂
Thank you Nupur. I loved your theme as well.
This so heart touching. Wonderfully written. I would love to read of your poems for sure.
Thank you.looking forward to your future visits
Thanks Medha. Do visit again.
Acid Can Born The Contours not The Spirit!! Lovelyyyy Poem !!
I agree completely
Impactful. Loved the way you have written it – bold and strong. Keep going Namratha.
Thank you Sonia😊
A powerful poem and loved how you have written it. A great start.
A for Acquaintance (Love is not my need)
Very impactful. Love the idea of poetry for a cause. I think this is going to be one of the blogs I will be visiting everyday. Looking forward to more!
Looking forward to your visits Neha
A novel idea of Poetry for Cause. What to say about poem? as Khilji says to amir khusro in “Padmavat”, you are so blessed to write your heart out..
Thank you Snehal. I am making a conscious effort to write from the heart.
A great start Namy – a few words but they convey resilience in the face of adversity
Thank you Akshata
What a powerful theme, Namratha! And loved your poem! I too agree with you, stop these acid attacks.
Very vivid account and terrifying to read, but very well written. I can only shake my head in sad wonder to think as to what happened.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Wow what a powerful start to the challenge! I loved the poem 😊
These acid attacks are chilling. Good for you for doing such a lovely theme – poetry for a cause. Visiting from the A to Z Challenge.
I had no idea acid attacks were even a thing. That’s horrific!
Fantastic poem that really captures the emotions, and a great cause to share too
Debbie
A great start namratha. Acid attacks is something that needs to be discussed very often. A brutal thing, which is unforgivable. Loved it.
This one just jumped on the top of my list. Your journey of #AtoZchallenge will certainly inspire a lot.
AMazing!
The theme is superb Namy and your poem speaks out in volumes about this atrocity committed on women by thoughtless arrogant and uneducated fools.
A very lovely and moving piece. I also loved the theme and the structure of the poem. I am looking forward to learning a lot from your posts.
Nayantara – MommyingbabyT
What a beautiful poem and such a sensitive yet strong topic to begin the A2Z. I used to frequent Sheroes Cafe in Agra, a cafe run by acid attack survivors. Their infectious smiles and determined eyes tell what even words cant.
Look forward to reading the rest of your letters.
Short yet powerful. Love the theme.
Thanks Priya. Do continue to visit and read as the theme develops. Most of my poems are going to be short this month.
Awesome! What a great start to AtoZ! This is a very important message, Namy. It’s sad to see people act as if the world is their fiefdom. Disappointments and rejections are part of life. People, especially those who are spurned, need to understand that. Great poem, BTW.
Thanks. Was trying to go for simple yet impactful poems. People need to have freedom of choice