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