By Neeha Attiq
This piece is written from the perspective of a woman who has been subject to abuse and neglect as a result of oppressive cultural norms and societal views commonly accepted in Southern Asia.
Photo from Unsplash
Crimson Woman
Ask her whether she craves recognition from the opposition.
Why she buries the corpse of her dreams where she seldom sought permission,
appreciation.
How despite their degrading tirades and their aptitude for being blithely unaware, it’s got nothing to do with culture or tradition.
So listen.
They’ve deluded themselves and barricaded others in their own man-made prison.
They hide and disparage her? A hostage of night like stars that only appear in darkness before the sun’s debut at dawn where now the star bleeds crimson.
The daughter of possessive endless blue.
Her sonnets of sorrows merely awaiting the tribulations of tomorrow where she is expected to rise and shine with unquestionable eloquence and grace,
Berated with orders, reminders to not be derelict in her duties and be true to her space.
When she adheres, says yes to their face, tell me, who is thereafter to take her in their embrace
To foster love and kindness when never receiving any herself.
Remember, she’s told she is mindless, suffering from ‘perceptual blindness’.
Suppressing her inner lioness so she emanates brightness in the midst of any crisis.
Continued to be referenced as the incorrigible “her”
Tell me, will she be forgiven?
For living this beautiful tragedy that is being a woman?
About the Author
Neeha Attiq is an 18-year-old student at the Schulich School of Business and an aspiring writer who is constantly contemplating the convoluted universe. You'll often see her staring into space or mastering the art of procrastination and professional binge-watching. She mostly writes poems and prose but one day hopes to develop enough creative ability and stamina to write a book of her own.
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