woman

 

Don’t tell me I am a daughter, lakshmi of the house,

When you think I am a burden

 

Don’t tell me I am a sister- the epitome of love

When I am killed in the name of Honor

 

Don’t tell me I am your love of life

When I am raped and abused

 

Don’t tell me I am a wife-the equal partner

When I am treated like a slave

 

 

Don’t tell me I am a mother— I am your GOD

When I am thrown in an elderly home by children

 

I am

Not a property to possess

Not honor of the family to be saved

Not a reproducing machine to procreate 

 

Tell Me …. 

 

Even if you are single,

Even if you are a widow

Even if you are a sex worker

Even if you are unable to reproduce

Even if you are a lesbian

Even if you are disabled

 

TELL ME….

 

WE LOVE FOR WHAT YOU ARE

 

A HUMAN, A WOMAN

 

By- Kamayani Bali Mahabal