Unhappy women

have used tears,

threatening oaths,

even collapse 

to prevent a lover

from travelling

Darling, 

I’m a pluckier girl 

Good luck and for your early departure 

I hope for an auspicious day

After you’re gone 

You may hear 

What I see fit to do with 

my love life. 

…

Sanskrit poetry is often full of lovelorn ladies unable to bear separation from the hero (Virahotkanthita Nayika) but this lady in the Amaru Shataka (translated as Erotic Love Poems from India) is going her own way.

…

Text from vintageindianclothing.tumblr.com, & image of J Jayalalitha from rediff.com.