March is National Women's History Month, and March 8 is International Women's Day, a day to honor the achievements of women globally. I thought it would be a fitting time to feature No Ocean Here by Sweta Srivastava Vikram, published in 2013, part of the World Voices series. These powerful poems are stories in verse, heartbreaking, haunting, and often horrific accounts of women and girls in various parts of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Like a gypsy with no shoes,
I walk humbly through cultures,
documenting stories
for women without a voice.
~Sweta Srivastava Vikram, No Ocean Here
Most of the poems have a short preface, which sets up the particular situation featured in the poem. I've listed a couple of examples below.
It's been estimated that over 20,000 women in the Middle East and Asia, where Islam is practiced, are killed by their family members if the latter thinks the victim has brought disgrace to the family or community. ~Honor Killing
In some parts of Gaza, mayit nar (acid) is thrown on women who don't cover their faces. ~Mayit Nar
Every year, thousands of girls are trafficked from Nepal into India for commercial sex work. Most of these girls come from poor families, so they are lured by the promise of employment or marriage. ~Brothel
There are numerous references to the ocean in this book, starting with the first poem, which has the same title as the book, and is an introductory poem about the general plight of women in these countries.
I awaken in a cruel world--
no ocean here
Inspired by true stories and interviews, Sweta Srivastava Vikram's new work is a courageous, compelling, and compassionate collection, which gives these women a much needed voice against violence and oppression. Over 40 poems depict the plights of women and girls in these developing countries, who've suffered too long in silence--and who desperately deserve to be heard.
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Sounds like a very moving collection.
ReplyDeleteLovely selections from the book. I'd love to read it.
ReplyDeleteI am one of those people that when I read something sad/painful, it affects me for days. Don't think I could read this one.
ReplyDeleteDiane, these poems are about pain and suffering, but there's no chance for change without an awareness of how these women are treated.
DeleteSounds like a powerful and important collection of poems. And the cover is so striking.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a powerful and moving collection and like something that will open the eyes of those who read it. Those few introductions you quoted are just unreal and infuriating. How horrific that this goes on in the world we live in.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Suko. I am a fan of this poets since you introduced me to her with Beyond The Scent of Sorrow. I like that she uses poetry to get her message across.
I definitely understand why this should make you angry. Though we do not always hear about it, women suffer disproportionally worldwide from violence and oppression while at the same time perpetuating these evils so much less then men.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great choice of books for this month.
Sounds like a collection that is both harrowing and yet inspiring, thanks for recommending it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a sad situation these poor women find themselves in. It is hard to believe in this day and age that such barbaric things are still happening.
ReplyDeleteYou always have the best books to promo. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a worthy collection highlighting the plight of these individuals. Another couple of good anthologies, from a womens point of view are
ReplyDeleteFire On Her Tongue: an eBook Anthology of Contemporary
Women's Poetry & Not a Muse: The Inner Lives of Women, a World Poetry Anthology
Thank you for the related recommendation!
DeleteThank you so much to all of you for your powerful words and generous support. I hold them dear.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Sweta
Sweta, I appreciate your comment! Thank you for sharing your very worthy work with me.
DeleteThere are some awful things that go on. Thought provoking poems.
ReplyDeleteAnn