I’m a woman 
They defile my right to live freely 
They think they can tell me how to think, dress and be 
They want to contain me with rules,
Chain me with seen and unseen fears 
They fasten my wrists and feet with their scriptures 
Bind me with their customs,
They think what wins my heart are big mansions and ornaments exquisite,
Only if they knew that the shine of gold,
is still a cage which holds me captive. 

I’m a woman 
I’m not safe 
They worship clay goddesses with utmost reverence,
But violate my living body
They bow down to goddess Durga at her feet, 
And tower over me to dominate and defeat 
They drape stones, marbles and books with magnificent fabrics and jewels,
And disrobe me against my cries with their might and muscles.

I’m a woman 
They tell me how I should look 
They shame my face and body,
Which don’t fit their standards of beauty 
They tell me not to be loud 
Not to resist 
Not to be heard 
Not to have eyes dreamy 
They’d rather that I hide myself and crumble 
Than rise to the proud woman I can be. 

I’m a woman 
They stamp my status with a Miss, Ms or Mrs 
Whereas the Mr remains a mister-ry 
They ask me to give up my maiden name, 
to show in marriage who they claim. 

I’m a woman
My children don’t get my name 
Although I bear them in my womb,
Birth them,
And feed them from my breasts 
When I leave my village as a bride, my name is torn 
Whilst the name of the man lives on. 

I am a woman 
They tell me to stay in a marriage come what may 
Even if it makes me less 
I’m blamed of being vile if I choose to step out of the wedlock, 
To live my dreams 
They want me to be a ‘good example’- 
A happy face for photo frames. 

I am a woman 
They think I’m vain or unchaste,
When I choose to be single 
They find me to be a threat, 
An aberration 
They scan me from head to toe 
Looking for a “defect” 
And exclude me from their heart. 

I’m a woman 
I’m more than my face and flesh 
See my soul, see my spirit’s presence 
See the fire in my eyes 
The anguish in my heart 
I’m not a battle to be conquered
I’m not to be tamed 
See the devine in my femininity 
Without which the Earth is not complete 
My body is the Earth’s temple
Do not judge it 
Do not ambush it 
Help me to stand tall 
Understand my choices 
Respect my freedom 
Above all,
Love me beyond my gender 
I’m a living being 
Bow down to the life in me 
Love me skin to soul
Your God resides within me.