This vast carnival of neon light blazing across my city, tell me, could it not cast a golden glow upon your heart!
This enormous golden-copper bracelet upon my wrist, tell me, could it not make me brave in your eyes!
This whole black bindi that spreads like a radiant sun across my forehead, tell me, can it not kindle fire in your chest!
Though I forget to eat or bathe, I never forget to wear vermillion! This blood-hibiscus red sindoor of mine, tell me, has it never bound you to any vow!
Each day in the thick noon heat, even as spring departs, I stand on the terrace wrapped in a sweat-soaked sari— have you noticed me even once?
I who forget my sorrows in exhausted sleep, eating nothing, giving nothing, has that weariness-heavy slumber ever driven you from your dreams?