I Was There-December 29,2012 Poem by Farheen Viquas

There I was a few hours ago

I did feel that my countrymen were too low

Because of the incident that happened on the ill-fated night

The worst was nobody turned to me and didn’t even think to fight

I have reached the heavens where I’m treated as a queen

At a place which differentiates life and death in tween

I cringed with pain

Thought those men were insane

I battled with death day and night

I wanted to live because protestors gave me light

From above I see the preparations

Barricading the routes, heavy police deployment, and nonfunctional metro stations

I wish these measures were taken before for women of my country

To make women feel safe and free

I requested ‘God’ don’t send me again to a place

Where responsible bodies have dual face

As a little girl I knew rainbows, birds, rain, and stars

Then grew up to dream about planes and cars

But, species from Mars crushed my freedom

Here, Indian women are angry, sad, and numb

When my body will be hidden forever

Promise me, my countrymen worst punishment you’ll savour

For those who are lewd, and show that lustful antics

On such a crime don’t entertain any feelings that are mixed

I wish I’ll be a born-again Indian woman

Where the law allows to raise guns

At people who violate the women honour

Be stringent in dealing with ‘wild’ acts against her

I request every Indian citizen

To make sure to completely shun

The barbarous, lewd, loose behaviour

Whether it’s done within a family, by a friend, or a peer

Don’t leave this battle until you win

Teach lessons who dared or even dare to commit such a sin

Be responsible, alert, and brave

To ensure that Indian women are safe