Special Like Everyone Else

I make One go weak in the knees,

With just a little glance.

If I give a gentle smile to a Man,

He considers it a fat chance. 

I can heal deep wounds,

With just a tender touch.

I can change a Person's soul,

Without doing much. 

I love with all my heart,

I’m truly very caring.

In one word – I am a Prodigy,

Ah, I’m truly a Super Human Being.

But have You tried to see,

What lies beneath this mask?

Oh, yes I do wear one,

About which You hardly ever bother to ask. 

You postulate that I’m perfect,

And leave everything on Me.

You consider Me an Epitome of Forgiveness,

And become carefree. 

You rarely look into My heart,

To see the plethora of emotions running inside.

You assume Me to be strong enough,

To take everything by My stride. 

You patronize Me whenever You want,

You enslave Me as easily.

One moment I’m scintillating,

The other, I’m a crying baby?

Please stop and give Me a minute,

A minute so that I can be Me.

I’m not just a Mother, a Wife or a Daughter,

I’m a Person – that’s me. 

I live in a Man’s world,

Where every second I’m either adored or censured.

Let Me walk freely on the road,

Just this once, without being judged. 

Oh please don’t talk about essence today,

And let Me be like One who’s normal.

Release Me of all the perfect images in Your mind,

‘coz like You, I’m just another Special Mortal.

I wrote this poem in 2004 as a part of the Annual Day celebrations in my college. Today I'm submitting it for Godrej Eon Femina Woman of Substance. I truly believe that each one of us is gifted and contributes to the world in some way or the other - be it a man or a woman. Instead of Woman's day, we should celebrate a day called Equal's Day when we can hope that one day men and women will be treated with the SAME respect.