Women’s Day

Would it not be nice if, in fact,

 

You did not set aside that one

 

Charitable day to propitiate us,

 

But simply, through the year,

 

Internalised our human status.

 

Would it not be nice if you

 

Understood how, lacking us,

 

Your brood would have no

 

Existence, not to speak of

 

Swagger, muscle, puissance.

 

Would it not be nice if, in fact,

 

You came alive to the infinite

 

Beauty of our complimentarity,

 

Finding fulfilment and grace

 

In our answering disparity.

 

Would it not be nice of you

 

To be grown into an intelligence

 

That could show you how

 

Our minds are often keener

 

Than your own; how being equal

 

With us could groom and bless

 

Your humanness more than

 

This or that warlike icon.

 

Would it not be nice if you knew

 

How, when push comes to shove,

 

You need us more than we need you.

Badri Raina