By Anushka De
It is a man’s world, and we are living in it.
For ‘Sultana’s dream’ is not real, yet.
So many of us are given a crown every day, and called Queens.
But no one questions, queens of what-
What domains are relegated to us every day in the name of power?
A power, that doesn’t come with your prowess,
But with how tenderly you nurture the man’s ability to adapt you to his world.
If you think you own it all, think again.
For this ain’t no Barbieland.
And this is exactly how they will make you question all that you have believed in:
“You overthink so much, there’s nothing called gaslighting”.
But there are still-
Economies growing,
Battles being fought,
Gender equality feigned,
And developments being made.
And there are also chances being taken away at the drop of a hat unless you own what they do.
Minions seated in such huge thrones of insipid self-worth, what is exactly your bedrock?
And when you ask yourself this, it all suddenly makes sense.
Why you were never the ‘chosen one’?
Why it was probably the best decision to sit on the fence?
Why it has always been the safest to play along if you want to fit in?
And then-
Let your raw rage rest in peace.
And if you too, feel it with your skin and bone,
that societal incentives served by patriarchy,
is the one that’s making you stay- then rise.
Daughters of the moon, rise.
This world can’t do enough without your demise.
Bring your obscure incantations-
Use it to dismantle what they value the most.
The pen and pleasure is all mine for today.
Wage it to set their towering sense of superiority ablaze.
Burn it all with your gaze-
Yes, the female gaze.
And yet, after all that is said and done,
The ashes of a burnt male ego will remain-
Smelling rotten yet enticing to let it all go.
It is indeed a man’s world and we are living in it.
But while we live in it and strive to fit in,
Don’t forget to
Burn it,
Break it,
And,
Smash it to smithereens.
For Sylvia Plath once said:
“Herr God, Herr Lucifer, Beware, Beware.
Out of the ash I rise with my red hair
And I eat men like air.”