I am a Woman

Truly so..................

My raiment holds eons of skirmish

Draped in each blood-caked fold

Every birth, every age

I have been hitherto subjugated, bound, maimed

My beliefs sluiced, my faith drained

My body mercilessly shamed

Did I cower?

Did I bow in front of those in power?

I never did relent

I never did repent

I revelled in my luminescent skin

I destroyed;

Bit by bit I devoured their pride

As Durga, As Kali I did their resistance override

As in the past, so in the present

Every day I am reborn purging the scabs

Of centuries of apathy

I fight my battles in every household

Do not judge my character by my clothes

I own my skin, I do not abide

By your illogical din

I am not perfect, nor aim to be

I live my dreams

Do not name them as momentary whims

Call me sassy, call me haughty

I am not a slave of your misplaced morality

I am hope, not just a subjugated anatomy.

I am a woman....

I refuse to be bound in societal moulds.

I will no more let my soul be sold

In my bosom, I will glory enfold.