By Neeti Banga
Is it time for spoken word poetry to make some noise?
Or is it time for my unspoken thoughts to get a voice?
Well, I'm here to talk about my gender, as a spokesperson, maybe, not a defender, and certainly not an offender
The topic is certainly fragile and tender
Today's burning flavour
is our conversation on Women, in Labour!
You may say
Enough has already been said
Enough has already been written, rewritten and read
But there's always an unread page,
there's always a brand-new stage
A blank canvas
A new Platter
To open our minds and talk about things that matter
The dictionary says "labour" is something done with great effort, so you may ask. What for women which is such a task?
The answers are many, but I would say the top answer is Survival, without wearing a mask!
She's expected to be educated, earn a living
Be a mother, a nurturer, selflessly giving!
She's expected to be a Diva, sexy and glam
Ready to party, and rock the page 3 sham!
With flawless skin, tummy tucked within
Living on leaves and fruits, don't you know, eating is a sin?
A chef in the kitchen, brewing aromas that linger
Laying a platter of dishes, ummm, all licking fingers!
9 months of pregnancy and birthing after hours of labour pains,
She's expected to juggle between nappies and balance sheets of losses and gains!
The pressure to get back in shape fast and flaunt her perfect figure
Anything less than that, people would whisper... comments would trigger!
Aah! But the battle has just begun... for the career woman...
if she chooses to leave... They judge her choice
If she chooses to go back again, they silently shake their heads and make that judgmental noise!
They label her as a dull housewife, an ambitious bitch, a bossy boss...
Whatever she does, it's questioned; her fate is at a toss!
She needs to have all these superb powers
A perfect homemaker, and A corporate star!
Enough, I say.. Enough!!
We've had enough!
Enough labels
Enough names
Enough raised eyebrows
Enough blame games
Enough unrealistic expectations
Excuse me, we are NOT a vent for your frustrations!!
We're going to be sloppy sometimes,
We'll want to laze
Netflix and chill... Watch a romedy or a horror to thrill!
The food may have extra salt
The bed may be messy
We may be in pyjama’s, not in the mood to be dressy
It's going to happen
Coz we too are human
Don't expect perfection
Let us do it all as a labor of love, let us do it with affection!
We are not circus clowns
Juggling it all, parading the town
We are not tight rope walkers, mastering the balancing act
All we are doing is living, surviving.
Accept it. It's a fact.
We've had enough traumas.
No time for futile dramas
We like our flaws.
We love our scars
Our imperfections are our superpower!
So, I offer to raise a toast
To Women in perennial labour, who deserve it the most
Go ahead, do the most difficult task
Accept yourself and unmask your mask!