It’s the only truth

Posted on by Reena Saxena

it’s tradition, they said
then genetics came on the scene
it’s our highest duty
to preserve our culture
and hand over the baton to
future generations

“Transfer your salary to my account, and I’ll give you an allowance. You spend way too much”, said the doctor’s husband.

“Isn’t it time to start a family?” opined the doctor’s mother-in-law as she stepped out of the operation theatre, into the washroom to change her gloves.

“You might as well dress conservative, like other women in the family do.” The sister-in-law was not to be left behind.

A woman’s journey
to professional competence
financial independence
negated by patriarchy
“You’re first a wife”, they said
other roles may follow
like icing on the cake
or frills on your stern-looking
doctors’ coat

“Congratulations! It’s a girl”, she beamed a smile, “labour pains are over, but your work starts now.”

“My family won’t be happy,” said the new mother in a weak voice, “they were expecting a son.”

“That is why I said, your work starts now. Ensure that she grows into an individual, not a carrier of tradition. Be merciless and let her grow out of your shadow. She will not be a reproductive machine without decision-making powers.”

“Doctor, the anaesthetic effect has not worn off, but my eyes are opening … as if for the first time.

It’s only a woman
who will destroy or nurture
another woman
fight the male bastions
to protect
not just herself
but all those who are yet
to enter womanhood

“It’s okay”, she heard the forlorn husband, “maybe we are blessed with a son next time. The men in the family are all first-borns, so much so that it became a tradition.”

“How could they choose the gender of the child?”

Silence.

“Was it a matter of chance, or did female foeticide happen? Who will confess?” Her voice gets sharper, but there is no response.

“The social esteem and professional accolades are hollow. What really matters is how the family members feel about themselves …. self-actualized individuals or carriers of tradition? It’s the only truth. Nothing else matters.”

she hears bells ring
In a temple far away
someone sings an ode to dawn
someone’s calling
maybe her freedom
maybe she goes home
or chooses not to..

Reena’s Xploration Challenge

19 thoughts on “It’s the only truth”

  2. What a touchy post, Reena. Full justice to the title. I agree, ‘I see positive change with every generation, but the pace of change is slow. And in some societies, change does not spread evenly, but is limited to certain sections.’

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  3. Pingback: Reena’s Xploration Challenge #296 – Reena Saxena

  4. Your piece was so well written. I’ve always thought “getting to be a mother” was the best ‘role’ anyone could have. A miracle that makes womanhood complete. Glad I never felt forced into the role by others. 🤔<3

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        1. You are right. That’s genetics. So in your opinion, a mother’s job is to bring them into the world. Eventually, they will grow into their own beings.

          Just that in oppressive social structures, support from a parent helps in making them see their own potential.

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          1. Great point. Telling kids they’re “oppressed” is IMHO robbing them of the innocence needed to confront “opressions” where they arise.
            I don’t believe oppress “structures” exist, just opressive instances. That belief IMHO is “slavery of the mind”.

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