By Dr. Balesh Jindal
Stamped and
Inked, I arrived bawling and
Yawning in the cradle
Newborn clothes perfectly coloured,
Fitted and matched, I smiled
To their joy.
“How pleasant…” they tweeted
I sucked milk and burped gently.
Just the right way or so they said.
“My perfect daughter,” said my Dad.
Coy and bashful I preened and pretended. A young girl,
Following, obeying,
Not a breath or a whisper without permission
‘Girls should walk with grace..feet together’ said my teachers
I harnessed my feet that craved to dance and
Dither
‘Girls should not speak loudly..a whisper is enough,’ suggested most
So I gagged my throat into silence.
‘Girls should not laugh too loud,’ said the conference of aunts.
That was the day I started to cry if I wanted to laugh.
Was I born a prisoner?
One day, I decided to love myself,
A little..just a little
I laughed till I shook the rules that bound,
I smiled brightly till the sun shied away,
From my betraying dazzle.
A skip, a hop and a jiggle
They looked aghast..how can a girl
Be so wanton..so shameless! Shamelessly
I walked away happy, unshackled,
I was in love,
With myself