I Chose Some Battles, But Some Battles Chose Me…

We ostensibly have choices, but what kind of choice is it really for women, where the conditioning and patriarchal ideas of how a woman should be take the upper hand?

We ostensibly have choices, but what kind of choice is it really for women, where the conditioning and patriarchal ideas of how a woman should be take the upper hand?

Swirling in fluid, dreaming an unseen dream
Tiny limbs and features, with a naughty gleam
Eyes opening and closing, dark all around
That’s how it looked, my soul on being found…

Then came the birth, slow, steady and long drawn
A blissful night ended, and came a reluctant dawn
Being born as I was, was not a happy thing, I see
I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…

Trotting on my feet, not a care, no worry
I walked out in the open, but was taught to scurry
Being a boy was a privilege, a girl wasn’t to be
I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…

Dolls walked in as gifts, after dark strolls off bounds
You’re a girl“, I heard, world is full of hounds
Rebelling just reaffirmed, what Mom had told me
I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…

Being in a bus was a battle, and so was being in a train
Being at work was a battle, so was being in rain
Groping hands all over, eyes that mentally stripped me
I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…

Working extra hours unwelcome, laughing out loud too
Dignity, grace and poise ok, being carefree a taboo
Moment after moment, just learning not to be me
I chose some battles, but most battles chose me…

Then comes one day, a snapping point of some sort
When I see two paths, Do or Die, in short…
I choose to do, to be who I want to be
I chose this battle, although many had chosen me…

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Tongues wag and people tut, but this life in mine
Being alive, to live and love, is nothing but divine
No one takes this right to live, away from me
I chose this battle, although many had chosen me…

Bus journeys are not battles, as I swing the shoe when I must
I am not the one out of control, it’s that guy’s lust
It’s HIS battle to fight, and to win, to keep his hands off me…
I refuse more battles, simply thrust upon me…

A version of this was first published here.

Image source: pixabay

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