I’m NOT a Girl (Sanchari Das)

I’m not a girl in society’s eyes:

I don’t possess any womanly qualities

That would make me an elegant lady;

I talk too loud,

We aren’t supposed to;

I walk with my head held high,

We are supposed to hang it low;

I laugh out loud,

Instead of a shy giggle;

I’m shameless,

I don’t blush too often;

I walk fast, too fast for a girl,

We should walk slow, with measured steps;

I don’t put make-up on my face,

Nor do I drown myself in ornaments;

Girls must have long flowing hair,

But I love it short and fair.

I don’t qualify their standards of beauty,

But I’m beautiful in my own sweet way;

I’m too ambitious, for a girl that is,

It’s wrong for girls to focus on their careers;

Girls must know how to cook,

I barely know beyond making a cup of ginger tea;

Girls must do the household chores,

I find it hard to manage time between my hobbies.

Girls must carry themselves with dignity,

But I’m too careless and clumsy;

Girls are supposed to be well-versed in every art,

 I just enjoy learning new skills,

But I’m the master of none.

We should abide by their rules

Without asking any questions,

But I refuse to accept anything

Without looking for its logic;

Girls shouldn’t talk back in an argument

But I must explain why I’m right;

Girls aren’t allowed to have opinions,

But I make my own decisions;

Girls aren’t meant to be independent,

But I value my freedom about anything else;

Girls mustn’t open their mouth too often,

But my sharp tongue refuses to be tamed;

Anger doesn’t suit the girls,

They should be composed and calm,

But my mind unleashes its rage,

When I see something wrong;

Girls ought to hide their body,

But I’m not ashamed of my physicality;

Girls are supposed to be flawless,

But I wear my flaws like beads of necklace;

Girls shouldn’t have scratches in their body,

But I bear my scars proudly;

Girls must opt for an early marriage,

I pledge to be forever single;

Motherhood completes women,

I’m just the mother of my novels;

I’m not a replica of Goddess Lakshmi,

I deny her Godly quality;

And perhaps they are right,

I’m not a woman,

I’m just a human.

Writer: Sanchari Das

Artist: Angana Sarkar