Have you ever....??

Have you ever been raped

For putting on the wrong dress?

Have you ever been hiding

In a corner for a fag?

Have you ever been dragged

By your hair

For having a drink?

Have you ever been looked at

Like a dish appetizing?

Have you ever been denied

The right to earn a living?

Have you ever been thrown

Out of your home screaming?

Have you ever had to face

An untrue allegation?

Did you ever have to bear

Your face’s deformation?

Have you ever been threatened

For going to school?

Have you ever been slapped

For writing a book?

Have you ever been numbered

While walking on the street?

Have you ever been afraid

Of people who are passing?

Have you ever come across

The biases we face?

Have you ever been punished

For mistakes you didn’t make?

Have you ever been criticized

For looking too good or too bad?

Have you ever been judged

For being well groomed and well fed?

Did you ever have to face
the one who called off your marriage?

The one who walked away

Just because he wanted to be rich…

Come and see my world

And try to live my life

If you can live just one day

Then you would be absolutely right

In teaching me lessons

In dictating what I should do

In trying to plan my life

And making all my decisions.

    - Bhavana