26th of September

By Aashna Sethi

It’s 26^th of September

And I can think of 26 ways 

A person is killed everyday .

Sometimes by shattered dreams,

Sometimes by broken realms .

And the remaining? 

It’s shaky fingers picking up a steady occupation .

It’s 26^th of September 

And I can think of 260 ways 

A woman loses her dignity .

A man is 259 of those. 

And the  remaining  ? 

It’s her “hormonal “ misery , 

Wrapped in inhumane integrity .

It is 26^th of September 

And I can think of 2600 ways 

A man is told to behave .

To be stone hearted are 2599 of those .

And the remaining  ? 

Is his need to dig his own grave .

It’s 26^th of September 

And I can think of 26000 ways 

Something in me breaks .

25999 of those are my mistakes .

And the remaining  ? 

It’s you saying my name like it’s disgrace .

By Aashna Sethi