To see the movies and girls rising up again, it is fine to say that the “world is changing”. But you come to the streets after the movie is over. You come back to reality and the real world reminds you again how dreamy you really are. But it really has to end, you know. These stares and stalking. These comments and shouting. This constant nagging and breathing down my neck. I am not an angry feminist but when you share your tragedy with someone and they respond like “You should know how to dress when you step out” or “If you dress like that, this is what will happen” – I swear I feel a fire inside me.
How many times have women back-stabbed women? Those aunties in the neighborhood who are constantly peeking to see if your shorts are not too short.
How many times were you called “Not pretty enough” just because you didn’t match the stereotypical standards of “beautiful”.
How many times and how many times more?
This is my reply for all those times.
Perfect world and perfect people
Age old beliefs
And those dramas they repeat
I am tired
I am tired,
Reminding all every time
I am not made just to be desired.
Women backstabbing
Every opportunity just grabbing
Because they need to remind
How short is my short?
And how girls should not snort.
Why?
Why can’t I just be in peace?
Only a little humanity, a little love is all I need
And with that I will be at ease.
Stop your judgments
And stop those stares
We girls just do not care
Different colours, different thoughts
Different tastes and different hearts!
We are brown, black, white, wheatish
And we brown, black, white, wheatish girls
With our brown, black, white, wheatish
Hands and legs and pretty face
With eyelashes fluttering
And angry voice muttering.
We are at peace!
With red, pink, purple lipsticks
Or chapped lips
With Kajal running down
And no concealer under found
With blushed or pale face
Running away from this baseless race.
We are at peace!
No fat and so skinny
Or with curves so pretty
The Patiala suits or short skirts
The choker or the cleavage
Waxed hands or unbothered sleeveless
Peeking bra straps or covered with shawls
Stilettoes clicking or converse shoes running
We are at peace!
Laughing, snorting or crying, weeping
Loud or hushed, classy or dirty
Pixie or layers on my head
Just so you know, I am also well-read!
Beautiful! oh so pretty! Why?
I might as well be witty.
You don’t get to define us
You don’t get to confine us
You don’t get to align us
You don’t get to be girls. Period.
With all that we are
And with all that we do
We are at peace
And you should be too.
We are at peace
And the world should learn that soon!
– Vishakha Rupawat
Also read:
https://www.momababyetc.com/warriors-behind-veils-a-poem-for-the-women-behind-veils/
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