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Liquid Beauty limerick poetry by Brajendra Nandana Das * * * * * * * *
CAST: Narrator, Man, Woman.
Narrator: Many years ago in India there lived a
foolish and vain man, who was hopelessly attracted by the bodily beauty
of young women — and regularly tried to exploit them for his own
enjoyment. One day, however, he met a young lady who taught him a lesson
that changed his whole life... Let's watch. (enter Man, elegantly
dressed and vain in demeanor) Man: The ladies all see me and sigh Tonight I aspire To fulfill my desire With the first lovely woman I spy
I will not be put off by reproaches What a beauty is she Now I'll let her meet me I'm the greatest of all the "debauches" (Woman enters and gets near the Man, who addresses her
with a flourish and a bow)
Your beauty takes my breath away I cannot help gape At your heavenly shape With you, a man's morals could stray
Together we'll go on a spree We'll enjoy through the night Till the morning's new light What a wonderful time it will be
My dear sir, I find you quite rude Obnoxious and terribly crude I do have my pride Now please step aside Your entreaties are tasteless and lewd
The fact is you're really in Maya And cannot control your desire With sincere introspection And honest reflection To true beauty within you'd aspire
Man: (imploringly and shamelessly) Oh, please do not spur my advances Or send me away with harsh glances Please let us enjoy I'm a lusty old boy Now tell me, Ma'am, what are my chances?
Woman: (apparent reluctance and resignation) Well sir — now since you persist from badgering me you won't desist In just one week from now To my home I'll allow You to come if you still should insist Man: (in bliss) Just how happy you've made me today I'll be counting the hours And I'll bring you nice flowers How my heart will be yearning that day
Woman: (in a warning tone) I must warn you, though — don't be surprised Yet, I promise you true That I'll display for you All my beauty in front of your eyes
Narrator: The young woman was no fool; she had a
plan in mind. For one entire week, she fasted and took purgatives and
laxatives — thus passing many foul substances from her body. As she
stored these substances in a number of pots, each day she became more
and more emaciated, until after seven days no longer resembled the
beautiful woman she had been. Then the time for our lusty suitor to meet
with her arrived... Let's see what happened. (enter Man with flowers,
happily approaching Woman's home) Man: When the lady will give me a play There's her house I believe and I may never leave Such good fortune is coming my way (knock knock knock — Woman opens door, looking
terrible) Man: Or the wrong road I've possibly taken With a lady quite fair This nice day I'm to share —Buy you look most sick and
forsaken (Man starts to leave) My beauty's preserved Now don't be unnerved When I bring it before you to see
(Woman brings out pots with urine, stool and vomit, etc.)
Man: (overwhelmed) Please do not deceive me Be gone now and leave me Where's my beautiful lady — pray tell Woman: (pointing to the pots) But sir — all my beauty's in there You desired to find it Now I hope you don't mind it With you all my beauty I'll share
Man: (slowly and thoughtfully beginning to see the
light) Please forgive me for being so dense By your kindness you tricked me And did thus benedict me Your words have begun to make sense (with conviction and resolve) Chaste lady — with thanks I depart True beauty's internal, not flesh, not external We are souls — seek the Lord in the heart Woman: Dear sir — now I'm glad that you came But to know the Lord's beauty In this age it's our duty To feelingly call out His Name (she begins to chant, he joins in, then the audience
also — Hare Krishna kirtan) The End |