I Chose Some Battles, But Some Battles Chose Me…

We ostensibly have choices, but what kind of choice is it really for women, where the conditioning and patriarchal ideas of how a woman should be take the upper hand?

We ostensibly have choices, but what kind of choice is it really for women, where the conditioning and patriarchal ideas of how a woman should be take the upper hand?

Swirling in fluid, dreaming an unseen dream
Tiny limbs and features, with a naughty gleam
Eyes opening and closing, dark all around
That’s how it looked, my soul on being found…

Then came the birth, slow, steady and long drawn
A blissful night ended, and came a reluctant dawn
Being born as I was, was not a happy thing, I see
I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…

Trotting on my feet, not a care, no worry
I walked out in the open, but was taught to scurry
Being a boy was a privilege, a girl wasn’t to be
I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…

Dolls walked in as gifts, after dark strolls off bounds
You’re a girl“, I heard, world is full of hounds
Rebelling just reaffirmed, what Mom had told me
I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…

Being in a bus was a battle, and so was being in a train
Being at work was a battle, so was being in rain
Groping hands all over, eyes that mentally stripped me
I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…

Working extra hours unwelcome, laughing out loud too
Dignity, grace and poise ok, being carefree a taboo
Moment after moment, just learning not to be me
I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…

Then comes one day, a snapping point of some sort
When I see two paths, Do or Die, in short…
I choose to do, to be who I want to be
I chose this battle, although many had chosen me…

Never miss real stories from India's women.

Register Now

Tongues wag and people tut, but this life in mine
Being alive, to live and love, is nothing but divine
No one takes this right to live, away from me
I chose this battle, although many had chosen me…

Bus journeys are not battles, as I swing the shoe when I must
I am not the one out of control, it’s that guy’s lust
It’s HIS battle to fight, and to win, to keep his hands off me…
I refuse more battles, simply thrust upon me…

A version of this was first published here.

Image source: pixabay

Liked this post?

Join the 100000 women at Women's Web who get our weekly mailer and never miss out on our events, contests & best reads - you can also start sharing your own ideas and experiences with thousands of other women here!

Comments

About the Author

3 Posts | 9,399 Views

Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!

""
All Categories