The Myth of Aynalı Mağara

By Amit Parmessur

 

Lore has it that a king from Amasya

had a daughter who was so ravishing

that she had to cover her divine face.

 

When he decided it was time for her

to get married, he sent out news that the

one able to lift her veil, resist her

charm and look beyond her stunning visage

would become her husband. Upon this news,

swarms of bachelors came to Amasya.

 

One by one, the young men raised the princess’

veil but their hands shook, their knees buckled, so

overwhelmed were they by her elegance.

 

Like a Swayamvar*, it continued till

a very poor and brave young man said that

he wanted to try his luck. When he did

lift the veil, such a force was emitted

that he and the princess perished in the

inferno that surrounded them. Today,

 

they are buried in a cave outside the

town, and each time the sun sparkles on their

tomb, the rocky surface gleams as bright as

the face of the king’s ravishing daughter.

 

*] an old Indian practice of choosing a husband by a girl of marriageable age

*

Amit Parmessur is a poet and tutor from Mauritius. His writing has appeared in around 160 magazines, namely WINKThe Rye Whiskey ReviewNight Garden JournalAnn Arbor Review and Ethos Literary Journal. He loves to pick off past experiences, turn them over in the light and lie about them.

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