History

History is doomed and cursed,

Repeat itself it must!

~ Suranya

Not All Men

Every morning I go for a walk, 

Mothers keep an eye 

If to their children, I dare talk. 

Alert as though I am Danger. 

I am a Man, not a kidnapper.

Every day on my way to office, 

I avoid brushing against you in a crowded bus 

Fearing someday you will turn and accuse, 

Conscious of every move thus, 

But I am a Man, not a groper.

Every time I swipe on Tinder, 

Buy you a drink, I notice the fear 

You hesitate with information

Your suspicious eyes often wonder; 

I am a Man not an abuser.

Every time you walk alone on the road 

And I walk behind you, unaware, 

In the dark empty lanes of the city 

You let me pass, scared; 

But I am a man, not a rapist.

Every day, to office I go, 

As the hours seem really slow, 

I can't stare even in subconscious at you, 

Or have small talks sipping tea, 

Lest you press charges and am sued.

I know those animals, 

I know the threat "Men will be Men"

And all the talks of us being best, 

Stigmas, egos and false manlihood, 

But trust me those are not men, 

Mental, brutal and not like the rest.

~ Suranya

Seeing like a Feminist

 I AM A FEMINIST IN INDIA. 

I FIGHT FOR EQUALITY, 

TYPE "ME TOO" IN PROTEST. 

YET EVERY NIGHT WHEN I RETURN ALONE

I FEAR, MUCH IN DESPAIR, 

LIKE I AM LIVING A NIGHTMARE EVERY DAY.

I AM A DAUGHTER IN INDIA.

THEY SAY I AM THEIR PRIDE. 

YET THAT STRANGER'S DROOLING EYES 

STARING THROUGH MY CLOTHES 

IN A TEARING GAZE 

SEEMS TO MAKE ME FEEL 

LIKE FRESH MEAT INSTEAD.

I AM A GIRL IN INDIA.

YOUR UNCOMFORTABLE TOUCH 

MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A BAG OF DIRT 

YET YOU WHISPER THAT 

IT'S A PLEASANT SECRET. 

WHY DON'T I GET TO TELL 

WHAT IT IS INSTEAD?

I AM A WIFE IN INDIA. 

EVERY DAY I COOK, 

CLEAN AND WORK, 

EVERY NIGHT I WEEP IN SILENCE SCARED, 

ACCEPTING MY FATE ISN'T IN CONSENT

WHILE YOU RAPE ME IN CONVENIENCE.

I AM A MOTHER IN INDIA.

TODAY MY SON HAS RAPED A WOMAN. 

HE DIDN'T SEEM UNNERVED WHILE I WEEP, 

NOT FOR HIM, I DARE TO CLEARLY CONVEY, 

BUT FOR THE DAUGHTER 

THEY DIDN'T LET ME KEEP.

I AM A LADY IN INDIA.

VENGEFULLY OFTEN CALLED SLUTTY FOR MY SKIRT

FUNNY HOW YOU JUDGE ME TO BE A FLIRT. 

THREATEN YOUR MASCULINITY WITH IGNORANCE, 

BECAUSE YOUR IDEA OF ROMANCE IS DOMINANCE.

I AM A WOMAN IN INDIA.

IGO OUT TO WORK AND LEARN, 

JUST LIKE YOU. 

BUT EVERY TIME I WALK OUT OF THAT DOOR, 

ALL THANKS TO YOU, MY PARENTS FEAR, 

I MAY NOT EVEN RETURN ANYMORE.

~ Suranya