Of Womanhood
—————–
You first rape me
Then you plunge
A rod of iron
Through my vagina
Tearing out my womb
My intestines plop out
Blood gushes like a warm river
In which you bathe
Rejoicing that you have
Destroyed
What you perceive
To be my womanhood.
You stride out victor
As a shroud
Of silence,
Of secrecy
Is spread out
Over my torn body
Covering up
What is believed by them
To be my womanhood
My remains are
Hurriedly consigned to the flames
In the name of rituals
And religion
Which had made me an outcast
Labelled me a lesser being
Destroying evidence
Of all that is believed
To be my womanhood
This body
that you lust for
And abhor
At the same instant
That you plunder
and destroy
And wish to possess
Is what you believe
To be my womanhood.
This you may take
May tear open
May cut to bits
But the mind that resists you
Even as the soul leaves
This shell
That which you
Cannot ever possess
Cannot ever destroy
Cannot ever conquer
Cannot ever chain
That is your feared womanhood.
That has survived
That is the consciousness that
Has spread among
Those that remain
Those who too
Have vaginas and wombs
And hips and breasts
And know their end too
Might come with an iron rod
Between their thighs
For that is death’s latest style
For those of the womanhood.
Footnote: Brutal rapes and killings on the rise in the country. Only deep seated hatred for women can cause such crimes. Womanhood or manhood for that matter is not a question of choice. But being human is.
18.05.2016
Vineetha Mekkoth
All rights reserved
A powerful indictment; a memorable poem.
Thank you, Vijay sir
This poem shook me completely.
Rashmi, such tragedies are occurring in our society. I just held a mirror to it and to the mind of women. Fear of rape or violence should not ever shackle us. Thank you for reading.
The casual reader might very well find themselves shocked by the intensity and emotive power of this poem. It is ever the hallmark of a true Poet that they address and challenge the prevailing injustices within Society.
Louis sir, am honoured by your words. It is sad that human beings can be so cruel to fellow beings. A reflection of what goes on in their minds. If this poem will help bring about a change even in a miniscule way then I believe my very purpose in life has been fulfilled. Thank you, sir
Unforgettable incidence in human history. Reminded me of the day when thousands candles were lit in her memory. She is still burning and crying for justice. Very powerful write.
Ramesh ji, thank you for reading this. This is not of the Nirbhaya incident. On April 28, a few weeks ago, a similar incident took place in Kerala. A girl called Jisha was the victim. Such incidents are on the increase and that is horrifying. Thank you for stopping by.