Subjugating

By Sindhu Verma

Look here,

I want to help you

For you are a woman

And I am chivalrous.

Let us analyze you objectively.

This unsociable weirdness about you

It is not a neutral character trait

It is arrogance, lack of kindness.

Mingle and smile and be a sweetheart.

You are old enough

Why aren’t you married?

It is for your safety

And the safety of our men.

Ok, so you are married,

Where are the bangles?

It is for your safety

And the safety of our men.

Hitting middle-age?

Where are the children?

Don’t you know that birthing them

Is the reason a woman is born?

Well, well,

So many aspirations and ambitions?

Don’t you realize the folly of greed?

Look at those content “family women”.

They aren’t any less.

They are much more.

So you want to juggle multiple roles?

Housework, office work, interests?

You will fall short.

Like that knee-length skirt of yours.

What’s with it?

I can’t even look at your blasphemous legs.

The other woman works in a big company too.

How come she doesn’t dress like you do?

Is she slovenly?

Men never wear clothes that highlight their bodies.

Why do you have to?

Anyway, I am liberal.

So, follow these rules at least.

Wear X before person A

Y before person B

Z before person C

And so on and so forth

Per others’ comfort level.

It is for your safety

And the safety of our men.

Be mindful always.

You are a woman,

So you must never be at ease.

It is like a tightrope walk.

Think you can manage in your pointed heels?

You want my love and care?

Then please be the way I would like you to be.

Not this cultural disaster, societal wreck.

There is so much honor that reposes

In the docility of our women.

So what if you have these lesser qualities,

-Creativity, intelligence, compassion, blah blah.

Values are of value, not these.

Look at those content “family women”

They aren’t any less.

They are much more.

May God give you better sense.

By Sindhu Verma