We Too..?

By Kasthuri Priya

https://youtu.be/viO-y2lsZX4

The question: ‘Define a Woman’

Never has it evoked more fear in humans

Than today, an age of ‘Champions’

For ‘inclusivity’, ‘body-positivity’, ‘sensitivity’

And proclivity for ‘sustainability’,

Where people claim to be greater than the sum of their parts,

But are more concerned about certain body parts.

We keep emphasizing on views, reviews and mere pronouns,

Unfortunately, the overarching problem is more profound!

When did procreation become recreation

And disregard for consent lead to our descent?

Why is sensitivity so condemned in men

That it has led to toxic masculinity?

While impossible beauty standards for women

Has become a cause for their mortality.

Gender might now be a spectrum, amen,

But our stereotypes are still binary!

Vulnerability is seen as liability

And kindness as an avoidable disability.

Respect is taken out of context

And femininity is used for profanity!

‘Son of snitch‘, ‘runt‘, ‘fussy‘, ‘pansy’,

‘Bloody dastard‘; don’t know whose son that is honestly!

Beyond labels, proclamations and provocations

When the Sun does rise, without hesitation,

All of us are running, gunning for the next opportunity,

Fighting, seeking our own serendipity.

So instead of just screaming for equality,

Let’s raise our voices, celebrating humanity.

Accommodating and understanding differences,

Drawing inspiration, patience and tolerance from references

Across the globe!

Be it black or white or everything in between,

Let’s not judge anything with only what is seen.

Myriad hues colour us iridescent,

Unique, effervescent and ever so evanescent!

Who coined the norm, the form and the accepted?

We die every day because of it, in one way or another, in some way rejected.

Opinions shouldn’t be fear mongering, above refute,

They shouldn’t make anyone a tyrant, a brute!

Sometimes it is better to pause and reflect,

Rather than spontaneously react and later regret.

So we can try, cry and struggle most days,

But persevere and hope better paths we trace.

Believing in little steps going a long way,

Plod along, grow and aim to make a difference someday!

Emulating ripples in the lake, not still waters by the bay;

‘Am learning too, every single day.

By Kasthuri Priya