What is being free? What will set us free? What do we believe in if even an education cannot set us free?
These hands that scrub utensils Once wished to hold pencils They said “You’ll be free”
This womb which is now a mother Once dreamt of school and felt light as a feather It said “You’ll be free”
The mind which thinks of mouths to feed Once searched in books the life I’d lead It said “You’ll be free”
This back now bent with the beatings I bore Once was proud of the school satchel it wore It said “You’ll be free”
These legs that fled from the beast Once ran eagerly towards the school’s feast They said “You’ll be free”
Through the nook, I see those slender fingers With suavity on the mouse, it lingers I think “Oh, they are free”
I see in my madam hope and power I think she’s never seen the life of one lower I think “A woman, yet free”
I think it’s her life she’s the creator A happy story and she’s the narrator I think “She’s lucky to be free”
Until I saw her fall from grace When he struck every day on her face I now think “Is she free?”
Now I say woman it’s not fate You need courage sooner than late I now say “Courage sets us free”
Published here first.
Image source: a still from the film Thappad
A story teller, a listener and an eager learner. I believe that the world is
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