She

There used to be a time when

She wished that she wasn’t born a girl,

That way she wouldn’t have to endure so much

All the staring and the demeaning comments

That she has ever received,

All the annoying conversations about how

women had to sacrifice everything for their family,

The way how some told her what they thought she should do in life.

There would be no restrictions to go out whenever she pleased.

She wouldn’t have to be on hyper alert

while walking on a deserted road.

She wouldn’t have to go through what was her personal hell once every month.

There would be no more conversations

About how she should walk, talk or behave

If she wanted to be married off.

She hated that everyone thought marriage was a woman’s ultimate goal in life,

She hated them for forcing her into uncomfortable situations.

She was tired of having to offer explanations.

But she was done being passive

She didn’t let anything hold her back,

She became bold, strong, and independent,

No longer did she wish that she weren’t a girl.

She lived life on her own terms,

And learned to rise above all the snarky comments.

She stood up for everything that she believed in.

She wasn’t perfect,

but she gladly embraced all her imperfections.

She was a woman,

And proud to be one.

© 2017 Shweta Suresh. All rights reserved.

Image courtesy: Pixabay