Over the years, your support has made Women’s Web the leading resource for women in India. Now, it is our turn to ask, how can we make this even more useful for you? Please take our short 5 minute questionnaire – your feedback is important to us!
As a menstruating woman, I bleed every month. It is biological, powerful, and no matter what society feels, it does not make me shameful or impure.
Yes, I bleed
Life exists within my blood You, me and the human breed,
Childhood is lost Over period cramps The confusion of tampons and use of pads And not to forget the mud, newspaper, soiled cloth, n hey Scores of us struggle For five days of dignity And keep the mood swings at bay,
The spots stopped me From my whites Nonetheless The peering eyes As I carry wrapped whisper In my stride
I have been hushed up For my pain The do’s and don’ts there’s a list I gain As the festivities are coming In a fleet I need to calculate My days to be neat
Lest I will be away Just a spectator Won’t be allowed to touch The idol of clay She doesn’t …bleed But her part in me does I won’t be inclusive in ritual Celebrate or sway I bleed hence I will be away
I cannot go in the kitchen not touch the utensils sauce and pickle the worship place is out of reach you are meant to follow this, they preach
Am I dirty Am I impure? I defy you I am everything but not this for sure I am on a journey to womanhood I am on a journey to progeny I am on a journey to bring nature within me
I defy your norms I defy what you preach I take pride in my blood and say Yes, I bleed.
Image source: shutterstock
Founder KalaManthan "An Art Platform" An Equalist. Proud woman. Love to dwell upon the layers within one statement. Poetess || Writer || Entrepreneur read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Freelance or full-time, which is a better mode of work for you? Here are the pros and cons, from someone who has been-there-done-that.
For women who are restarting their careers after marriage, motherhood, or any other personal reasons, freelance work is an excellent avenue to consider. I think I’m qualified to make this statement because I’ve been there, done that.
When we had to shift from Chennai to Bangalore because of my personal situation, I was both excited and anxious; excited about the new pastures I was going to explore, and anxious that it should all work out well for us; for me, my husband, and our daughter (5 years old then).
Bangalore welcomed us with open arms and there has been no looking back since. I had just completed a corporate training course a month before moving to Bangalore, and was looking at new opportunities.
Most of us dislike being called aunty because of the problematic meanings attached to it. But isn't it time we accept growing old with grace?
Recently, during one of those deep, thoughtful conversations with my 3 y.o, I ended a sentence with “…like those aunty types.” I quickly clicked my tongue. I changed the topic and did everything in my hands to make her forget those last few words.
I sat down with a cup of coffee and drilled myself about how the phrase ‘aunty-type’ entered my lingo. I have been hearing this word ‘aunty’ a lot these days, because people are addressing me so.
Almost a year ago, I was traveling in a heavily-crowded bus and a college girl asked me “Aunty, can you please hold my bag?” It was the first time and I was first shocked and later offended. Then I thought about why I felt so.