Not Kinda, Not Almost, Not Maybe

A flame we bear, bruised but unbroken, still lighting the path ahead.

Are you a feminist?

You mean, asking for equal rights?
What?
Yeah, that’s the only gist.

But I wonder, it isn’t hard
to understand,
So why when talking about it, most men flinch?
Because patriarchy has taught them to clinch.

They’ve learnt a flawed concept,
confusing justice with male-bashing,
MeToo dismissed as money cashing,
Patriarchy dressed up as tradition
Finally watching every woman smashing. 
But above them all, equality with clashing.

Trouble-maker, rebellion-igniter, man-hater
catcalled so many names, and sometimes even a home wrecker.
How should I explain them?
asking for equal rights is never a shame.
Feminism ain’t a fire against men,
It’s a fight against injustice, oppression — 
asking the world till when?
We are carrying the brunt of the fire
standing on each oppressed woman’s pyre.

So yes, I am a feminist,
Not kinda, not almost, not maybe,
We are more than the kitchen, and the lullaby

Equal rights shouldn’t need anyone’s permission,
They are ours by birth, not put up for bargain.
Stop defining it for us, by the misapprehension
You’ve kept it ingrained.

For silence builds the pyres we burn on,
But voices build the world we rise from.
So,
Don’t paint it in black or white,
There’s no place for could be or might,
We are fighting this day and night,
If you are also re-reading and un-learning
this misconception
Help us and carry this strong flame of light.

~ Sandhya Arya

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