The gender divides
a man from a woman
he is set to be powerful
invasive and extensive
she is designed to be fragile
internally and externally
a ruggedness is seen in him
as many sport with a moustache
a voice so gruff and firm
make him a strong personality
lack all these the woman
with a fairness in skin
soft and small in build
speaks low and with charm
turn her into a weak being in all.
Born as a girl in the Indian families
controlled by the male throughout
initially the father with authority
along with the brothers in force
she crosses her childhood
and girlhood in fear almost
eyes flutter and her heart trembles
if she sees a stranger in front
learns with a diligence
as her brothers flaunt and spoil
achieves a lot academically
excels in extracurricular as well
yet lives in the shadow
where the patriarchal element dominates.
Out of her college she enters life different
seeks a job in all earnest
the family is otherwise busy
hunts for a prospective alliance
soon they check the most competitive
rush her to the wedlock
before she could breathe independently
another tie up being for the whole life
comes into existence quite easily
she succumbs to the new ways
in the milieu loses herself all too quick.
The wedding and after is another milestone
she has to bear the yoke nonchalantly
with patience utmost and endurance exact
her head has to nod up and down
no matter what be the circumstance
as the right to left move is forbidden
lives she like a rock hit by many a tide
rash and harsh most times
pleasant and slow on occasions
her hair grows grey as the years advance
looks she different with a spectacle
that dances on the tip of her nose
her memory goes down the lane
as she wraps the saree around her shoulders.
The woman you see now is emancipated or strong
empowered or employed as could be
this be her version all too much the same
might be with a slight variation
be she a working woman or a household dame
being one of a little care to the apparent appearance
the one with a job has to dress up well
drape a starched saree around and clothes ironed
while her counterpart one who stays at home
pays less attention in her dress
wears anything that comes to her hand
matching or matchless never her concern
she ties her air into a tiny knot
tucks her saree a little up
not to disturb her in the activities
moves about with a mindless stroll
her look out primarily being her children
and to an extent her husband
who incidentally wields a power
with an air of supremacy in square
know not from where it comes.
The case being so even in the latest days
how could a female expect an equality
how could she override the male
be her father, brother, husband
could be her son also in the future
who emerges from her and rises above her
the qualification being a man all the more
nothing other than
could out beat her
could ride past her even in a close shave
intelligence, tact and skill, virtuosity
never could she be outsmarted
but unfortunately, she is bent
and compelled to bite the dust.
“I’m blogging for the India Today Woman Summit 2015 #WomenPower activity at BlogAdda.”
Meenas Poems 