Woman Poem by Uma Sankar

I am a woman, A Woman -
With a heart - it beats, you know!
Good or not, I know not!
What is good? By the way,
To go by norms,
And shut my mouth?
Or cover myself? Top to toe?
Woman, they say, in perpetuum,
Gentle, fragile, smooth and soft!
Lips to be red, skin to be fair,
Walk with grace, speak soft and light!
But why? Why should I?
Sing and dance, I can do,
Cook and clean! I must do!
Write I can, of flowers and trees,
Sex and Love! Taboo! Never!
I walk and I shake the earth,
I talk, talk too loud,
I laugh, nay, roar aloud,
And cry, I must! That's what they say!
Begone you! For I am a woman,
A marvelous and colossal one!