Sick of Sexism

Do you know how it feels,
When disgust has to be kept concealed,
When you are treated as a damsel in distress,
Even if you have beaten the odds and tasted success,

My education, my work, my aggressiveness is fine,
Yet it fetches me adjectives like bitchy and witchy,
But the same traits in a man are applauded,
He is put on a pedestal and promoted to infinity,
Why am I supposed to dress up and look pretty,
And stand at the door of auditorium to welcome the guests,
I am not an event organizer to arrange decor,
When your company feels the need to hold a fest,
Your sexism ruins my everyday,
In the office, in a bus and in every other way,
I don’t need you to vacate a seat for me,
I am stronger than you, can’t you see,
Men, your chivalry is nothing but sexism,
Catcalls, ogling are part of my day,
Yet you call me the weaker sex,
Though I face it all and still I slay.

You know I am sick now, no longer can I ignore,
Staying silent hasn’t helped my crusade,
My pen bleeds to show you the mirror, your ugliness,
I am a woman and I call your spade a spade.

• Pooja Pant