As I tie this red mauli
with silver peacock feather
on your bony wrist,
I see you rummaging your kurta pocket
for perhaps the Tissot watch
you have spied on my Google searches.
Or, perhaps it's the fat wad of currency notes
that our mum has blackmailed you
to put in Shagun envelope.
But, no brother! it's not what I want
as my this year's Rakhi present!!
I'd rather have equality
of opportunity to pursue my dreams
like you are allowed to!
I'd rather want respect for my opinions
and no more dismissal of my voice
as naive at dinner table!
I'd rather want a promise that
you won't deem me a property
to be protected till you hand me
over to my rightful owner!
I'd want you to be the wind
beneath my wings and not the
jewel studded golden cage
that would bind me for life!!
-Neha Bansal
I have the whole problem with this concept of raksha bandhan. Why should women want something from their brothers at all? Be it protection, some expensive gift or freedom to choose her way of life.
ReplyDeleteI agree. However in traditional society like ours, seldom are women given this choice.
Delete"The wind beneath my wings".....how wonderfully expressed ....Lovely writing, Neha , with such transparent emotion...
ReplyDelete