Patriarchal Societies

Gerard sekoto- woman with downcast eyes

Your beautiful eyescarry a shame – it’s not yours Mirrors do not show flawsso accusing fingers can’t see theirs-it will take your eyes to seeand your courage to speakto tell themthey are tainted Whatever venom they spewThe underlying instinct is the sameYou dared to stay out of the chorussing their tunefollow their instructions they don’t … Continue reading Patriarchal Societies

Layered truths

The night calls out, wanting to take me in its fold. It holds dark secrets Patriarchy, injustice, un-blossomed buds, unfulfilled dreams, muffled voices Those voices warn me not to come in just to become another relic in a dark history glorified as culture. “Some of us lived in darkness, some saw the light but were … Continue reading Layered truths

Threads of Control

Meera sat at the dining table in her parents’ home. The clatter of steel plates and the aroma of curry filled the air. Her mother fussed over a second helping, her father wiped imaginary sweat on his forehead and adjusted the fan. She knew he would ask her mother to get the hypertension medicine. Her … Continue reading Threads of Control

She is No Savitri

THE CHOSEN WORDS FROM OTHER LANGUAGES Aurat  – commonly used for a woman in Hindi and Urdu Aadmi – widely used for a man in Hindi and Urdu Savitri –  Hindi word - a mythological character who saved her husband from the clutches of Yamraj, the God of Death, with her intelligent conversation. The twist … Continue reading She is No Savitri

Revival

Have you seen that hardened matriarch, the female boss, or a single woman whom we address by different derogatory names? They are generally seen as mood spoilers or wet blankets on others’ enthusiasm. What makes them whatever they are today? Maybe this figure was an enthusiastic woman at some stage, brimming with ideas and wanting … Continue reading Revival

Where is She?

It has been ages since you released abridged versions of yourself, to gain approval – an approval that did not help you in any way. They eulogized and encouraged you to go further, to project themselves in a positive light. Mind it, your virtues were being extolled for the sacrifices you made. Your potential was … Continue reading Where is She?

Grit

hollownessacquires shapeshe carries her lifeon wispy shoulderseach whiff of smokesolidifies into gritshe keeps movingon foggy pathsunsure of the ground beneathbut seeing her limitsin the sky What Do You See?

It’s the only truth

it’s tradition, they saidthen genetics came on the sceneit’s our highest dutyto preserve our cultureand hand over the baton tofuture 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 … Continue reading It’s the only truth

Views

DEATH Image: Closed Geometry by Maria Berrio a woman lies dead hereoblivious of rocks making facesnot knowing what storieswill be inscribed about her lifeor her existence forgottenas inconsequentialtoo shameful to be acknowledgedor a gem to be concealedso that it does not overshadowachievements of thosewho see themselvesas entitled ownersor gatekeepersof greatness NEIGHBOURHOOD Art by Eugene Delacroix … Continue reading Views