From womb to tomb

a poem by Malathi Jagannathan

Deep within, in her cosy home,
nourished and safe, in her mother’s womb,
she awaits the day, for a life of her own,
little aware that it’s danger prone.
Even in the womb, she’s not all that safe.
Every passing day is a new lease of life.
Violence against her starts right in the womb.
“Will she survive, or will she not?”
Even Almighty God, He knows that not.
But lucky she is, she survives the first bid
When her whole lot, wants the girl child rid.
Now there she lies, on her mother’s lap
waiting to grow, into a beautiful lass.
She grows amidst violence-
physical and emotional, all but in silence.
Even as a child, her virginity is at stake.
In bud she may be nipped even before she blooms.
Lucky if she is, for a second time yet,
From school to college she enters next.
Eve teasing, acid attack and a dozen more crimes,
Waiting to stalk her as every step she climbs.
At home or in office, she’s always pushed around,
Discriminated, dominated, bruised and battered.
Yet bravely she walks, from womb to the tomb,
Through the battle-field of life, all fully prepared.