i am a woman

why do you make me cover my face
why do i have to hide my body
behind a silhouette,  and speak in darkness
why do i have to ask in whispers
why do you allow my voice be silenced?!

look at me! and i will look at you straight in the eye
i am the body that bore you into this world
my breasts are what fed you as an infant
my hands are what nurtured you to become a man
my voice is what gave you the first thoughts you have
my feet were your guide when you weren't strong enough!

i am a woman

i have my beauty that men like you adore
i exude sensuality that drives men like you wild
my strength is one no man can even understand
my will cannot be conquered by anyone

if i love you, i will love you till the last
but i will tell you when i have had enough
like you will, but not with shame nor regret
i will leave you with pride that once
you've been loved

i am a woman

and i have some flaws too.
i am not perfect
but that's how i know
it's perfectly fine not to be
as you are not
as nothing in this world was
nothing is or ever will be

if  i've been wronged, trust me!
i shall fight, till he who errs rectifies
if i've been shamed, believe me
contrary to your belief, i did not want that

i put on make up because i feel good when i do
i wear my hair short so i can move comfortably
i wear short skirts because they're cool for me
i act, talk and walk like i do, because i am me

i am a woman

and i am a person just like you
do not measure me as an object to please you
i do not need your pedestal where you leave me
alone and detached, away and unheard
except on sundays, or nights you have the need
to remember

i will walk the ground you walk, i will toil
on land as you, my skin will burn in sun like yours
i will cry for help if i step on a stubble
and i will speak pain, without shame,
of my bleeding wounds

i am a woman

and i will be as i am
keep the curtains in your closet,
i need not cover my past
save the shades for the birds
i want light laid on my path

i am a woman

i know what i want and come hell
or high waters, i will go for that
i will shed tears, and sweat and blood
when i need to, i will stake my life
there is no giving up

i am a woman, i have my rights
just like you
i will speak of them on a spotlight
i will fight for them on the battleground
i will not hide, i am not taking a passive stance
i will hurt and i will be hurt, i will be mocked
and i will laugh, as the bell sings end
i know i would have won, and you
can ever again judge me not