Don't Tell Me

Don’t tell me I am a daughter, lakshmi of the house,

When you think I am a burden

Don’t tell me I am a sister- the epitome of love

When I am killed in the name of Honor

Don’t tell me I am your love of life

When I am raped and abused

Don’t tell me I am a wife-the equal partner

When I am treated like a slave

Don’t tell me I am a mother— i am your GOD

When I am thrown in an elderly home by children

I am

Not a property to possess

Not honor of the family to be saved

Not a reproducing machine to procreate

Tell Me ….

Even if you are single,

Even if you are a widow

Even if you are a sex worker

Even if you are a Baanjh

Even if you are a lesbian

Even if you are disabled

TELL ME….

WE LOVE FOR WHAT YOU ARE

A HUMAN, A WOMAN

By- Kamayani Bali Mahabal