Iraivi

They called me iraivi*

And put me up on a pedestal

Easier to throw stones

Be pushed down

They expected me to be grateful

For I was the goddess

Who ‘could’ do no wrong.

‘Should’ would have been more appropriate.

If I say yes,

I am a slut .

If I say no,

I am a bitch.

If I speak up,

I am a feminazi.

If I don’t speak ,

I am arrogant.

With eyes brimming with romantic paternalism

They revere me ,

And demand millions of sacrifices

That would befit a god.

Just treat me like a woman

I seemingly shout out with my studied silence

From atop the pedestal

Which was actually a golden cage

For the Iraivi can do no wrong

She is a goddess you fools!

Iraivi* - Tamil term for Goddess

So i wrote this during exam times and never had the time to publish it. Thought it would befit the poets united's 'pedestal' theme.