Girl Child's Wish

By Pragati Banerjee

They arrange a day-long seminar and say:

Today is Girl Child Day!

The hall is echoed with erudite speeches,

A play-station outside is garnished with balloons;

Children are playing there with smiling faces;

Words are bright with intelligence;

But deep within my heart says:

What about the smashed Roses?

What about the killed female foetus?

Late night, holding my father’s hands

I look into his eyes;

A girl child asks:

Father! I want to have strength like yours!

My father smiles and wishes:

Happy girl child day my princess,

By Pragati Banerjee