I would like to dedicate this poem to my loving Ammi and Thaththi (my parents) for loving me regardless of me being a she or a he. And to all the Jothis who are fighting for their unborn babies, last but not the least to all such lost little flowers that were plucked and crushed before it even had a chance to bloom.
What's so bad about having me?
Giving birth to me?
What's so special about him?
What's it that I don't have god has endowed on him?
Why even you being a one of us
Still don't want to make a fuss
Won't fight for me, Am I not worth the fight
The struggle the sacrifice for a future that's bright
I promise you, just give me a chance
Don't discard me without a single glance
I promise, I won't do drugs or bunk class
I'll study hard and graduate with a first class
Won't ask for anything but a chance to be born
With dignity and respect, please don't mourn
Why is it me being a he so paramount?
Why should it determine our headcount?
Why should it decide my destiny?
Is too much to wish for a mutiny
Why not him? Why only me?
Should dread to come out as thee
Why not me? Why only he's considered lucky
Evoke pride and can carry the name of the family?
Give me a fighting chance
I'll prove your wrong stance
I'll make you proud, I'll make you glad
Just let me be born it won't be so bad
Why do I feel like a sinner and a criminal
Yet, I know not my crime but hope for a miracle
But know what's my punishment going to be
It's the maximum, the death penalty
Death, for what? How can it be?
No trial, no defence or even a jury
Just a brutal and harsh verdict, that says guilty!
Yes! I'm guilty! Guilty of being a girl
Is it only me that sees all this as pure evil
Even a murderer gets a fair trial and a chance to appeal
Why is it only me that's dealt with such a raw deal?
Why am I never the first choice, the most unwanted?
Why not me? Why it's him that's always vaunted?
My wish is, for one day you will decide
To present me to the world with love and pride
She's my daughter, my honour and my joy
Why not me? Answer is simple, you're not a boy!
Book Talk
Shiv Shakti
