She woke up to a new sun,
With last night’s scars still burning.
She had to move on, she was the ‘woman’
Unnoticed, uncared, yearning…
When at eight, she had quietly watched,
Her brother being sent to school;
She only learnt to cook and wash,
‘Education deprived’ – was then a rule.
She grew up to be the family’s pride,
Lustrous eyes, seducing smile.
While one day, the precious jewel was bought
For a shameless dowry
by her husband’s side.
Shackled by customs and traditions in her new cage,
She remained a prisoner of her ‘brand’
Her dreams, her desires, her burning rage,
All buried deep underneath the masculine strand.
She raised her kids alone, she dutifully swept the floors.
While the society willfully refuses to adore:
The ‘woman’ in her who struggles and strives,
For respect, for freedom, for a better life.
She still tries to justify her existence,
She still tries to escape the unfair violence,
But she only hears herself,
Suffering in this shrieking silence!
