Written piece
The Color Before Leaving
Nusrat Jahan Nipa
Bangladesh
About this piece
Gaye Holud is a traditional Bangladeshi pre-weeding program. This poem captures the vibrant pre-wedding ritual of turmeric, music, and laughter, at the same time revealing the bride's quiet transition between celebration and departure
Lying there with a sleepless, tired body,
some neighborhood friends and cousins
suddenly pulled me out of the room.
All around, yellow flowers—
my thoughts tangled with them, turning into shy embarrassment.
Loud laughter,
and songs blasting from the sound box.
Grandmother sways her hips,
smiling like she knows some secret.
The neighborhood kids, out of rhythm,
dance wildly to the music, like nothing is serious in this world.
My younger aunt says,
"Can the bride really sleep this late? Everything’s ready."
A stage stretched with green and pink fabric,
lined with rows of yellow marigolds.
A yellow saree, matching ornaments, and flowers placed in my hands—
my little sister says, "Come, let me get you ready."
A decorated tray arrives with turmeric and henna paste.
Then, one by one, they touch me with turmeric paste,
my hands filling with henna—
slowly becoming darker.
They are laughing for themselves too, not just for me.
The tears in my eyes
could not hide from my mother.
She smiles and says,
"My silly girl, the wedding is tomorrow—
you shouldn’t cry like this today."