sibling day

Let me dedicate these lines
to the girls who died before their time
either in wombs, poisoned or sliced
or wrenched out and thrown away like garbage
if allowed to breathe the stench of oppression
their lives they live circumscribed
by tradition's false grandeur
today they shall celebrate Raksha Bandhan
and tie strands intertwined with duty and affection
on the wrists of their wise and loving brothers
who are as often the monsters from whom
other girls need protection
Let us do away with this hypocrisy


I propose today
A change in nomenclature
I ask for your love and support
As I chase my dreams , dear brother
Not your protection from monsters
That we as families rear
Happy Sibling Day, shall we say ?

( priya)
29.8.2015