In the market nothing can be had as cheap as women.

If they get a small bottle of alta for their feet
they spend three nights sleepless for sheer joy.

If they get a few bars of soap to scrub their skin
and some scented oil for their hair
they become so submissive that they scoop out
chunks of their flesh
to be sold in the flea market twice a week.

If they get a jewel for their nose
they lick feet for seventy days or so,
a full three and a half months
if it's a single striped sari.

Even the mangy cur of the house barks now and then,
and over the mouths of women cheaply had
there's a lock
a golden lock.