Freedom, they say, is the ultimate goal
To nurture the emotions, to brighten the soul.
Freedom, they say, can’t be given but must be earned
Unbinding the desires, shackles should be burned.
What if, I ask, I’m trussed within my heart?
Attachments and obligations, in life’s every part.
Smiling ruefully even when I want to cry
Social dogmas, traditions, cultures- I’m everyone’s pry.
A lady you are, they say, as tender as a flower
Don’t belabour yourself, with freedom or power
Be good and polite, love everyone but yourself
Freedom? Oh yes! That’s just a chimerical elf!
Oh! Yes! I say, woman I am, as strong as a tree
Producing flowers and fruits, with seeds inside me
I’m Nature, with seeds of freedom that’ll burst one day
I’ll be free of servitude, of bondage and labor, come what may!
In many countries, women are treated as inferior to their male counterparts. The society that is a patriarchal and patrilineal one tries to infantilize the voice of women. Of course, time is changing and, there are millions of men out there who believe in the power and freedom of women. Still, there is a long way to go when we refer to the word “freedom”. I came across this post of my blogger friend Balroop on domestic violence a few days back. Here she has explained in a lucid manner how women often find it difficult to break the age-old shackles in order to embrace freedom.
The poem is shared with PU Midweek Motif ~ Freedom
Your heart shines brightest in your words, when they are embraced by your amazing selfless spirit! Awesome M! Hugs and blessings always!
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Thank you so much brother Wendell. Best wishes and love… 🙂
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Very well written. Some of us take our freedom so seriously and make it known to others. When people are not too specific about having their freedom, others start taking advantage of it and try to dominate. We need to tell everyone that seeking freedom is not a sign of rebellion. Wonderfully written 🙂
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True, seeking freedom is everyone’s birthright…. Thanks, Ashwini…nice to have your views on the issue… 🙂
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Excellent. Yes women now enjoy many more freedoms and still women are sold into slavery, raped, ,mistreated by men who promise to provide love and protection.
Well done!
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Yes, I think we have still a long way to go… and this sort of mistreatment and violence take place everywhere in the world… 😦
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts…. 🙂
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Good one. I like it.
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Fantastically written Maniparna!
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Thanks, indrani… 🙂
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What a bold poem, Mani. Women are definitely strong and I have written a story on domestic violence showing women who endure it in a different light here Being Free
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Thanks, Roohi..will check that out… 🙂
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what a fabulous tribute to the female spirit and my favorite of the freedom prompt so far.
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Oh! I’m so very honoured..thanks a lot… 🙂
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Beautifully expressed. It’s important to acknowledge everything that true freedom encompasses. Often, the more visible or physical forms of freedom may still be tightly trussed (love how you’ve used that word) inside: stifled ambition, moderated desires, bowing down to expectations.
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You’ve very nicely described what I tried to say in the poem, dear… thanks a lot… 🙂
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Very meaningful and thought provoking lines.
Every one in the world will gratefully and proudly project at least one woman, ‘Mother’…!
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Certainly 🙂 But, I think we all need to pay respect to each other..man and woman..only then a balanced society can be formed… 🙂
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The last paragraph made me want to literally clap for the speaker’s determination. A beautiful poem, Maniparna that captures the inequality operating in our patriarchal society. May all women have this determination to combat the inequality they are subjected to.
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Thanks, Purba. But alas, all women don’t have such determination and courage…even the educated and financially independent ones fail to show that… 😦
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A thought-provoking poem echoing a hard reality.
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Thanks, Vishal.. 🙂
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WOW.
Powerful Poem.
Thank you for utilizing this platform for bringing awareness to Domestic Abuse.
x
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Thanks. It’s a universal problem faced by women. Happy to pour my thoughts through words… 🙂
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A beautiful message on freedom – there is a cost. And if found and gotten, preserving it can cost just as much.
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Thanks, Mary..for the wonderful comment.. 🙂
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Freedom is equality and its so beautifully handled in your poem….just yest I was watching house of cards season 3 and there Claire the first lady of USA tells her husband we haven’t been equals….the point I am trying to make it…its a bigger problem beyond regions and countries…its a human problem. The words are aptly chosen and crafted. Super going bestie!
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Absolutely Shweta, it’s a problem faced by women irrespective of region or race…. we need much more awareness on these issues…
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I love that last verse – ‘I am woman hear me roar’ – always!
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Yeah..hail to the power of femininity… 🙂
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Lovely! Evoked sentiments. I have been a revolutionary till now, speaking up against many issues. But I’ve thought about these matters for so long that they sadden me. Am not really trying to resign to fate but rejoicing what I have while I may, and speak up only if in dire straits.
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I sometimes think in your line. Does it really serve any purpose as we are writing about such things? Yes, they make some ripples and a few times waves but is it really helpful to those who need it?
I wish to work for such women, and one day I shall fulfill my dreams… 🙂
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Great social justice poem. A perfect use of the prompt.
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Thank you so much… 🙂
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Strange,is it not;that despite her power she has been subjugated and crushed for so long?Brute force made it possible.Even today some cannot digest women’s emancipation.
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Right… I know a lot of people who support women empowerment, but at the same time know a few misogynists too. It’s painful to see their remarks on social networking sites. Never feel like even responding to such verbal assaults, though. Let them bark… 🙂
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freedom is an illusion and some how we all love this illusion
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But some women shall really be happy to have a piece of this illusion…those who do not even dare to dream of it… 🙂
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Yeah ,,, bang on ! come what may … Its the last lines that turns the table from Abala to Sabla ..Beautifully written soul-sis and in essence reminded me of the song ‘I am a woman’ by Helen Reddy .. Loved it dear 🙂 🙂
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Yes, from Abala to Sabala… we are powerful enough to stand strong in the midst of tormenting time.
Will listen to the song, hope will find it in YouTube… thanks, dear soul-sis.. ❤
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Beautifully done, freedom is all in the mind and comes from the heart.
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Thanks and welcome to my space… 🙂
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The poem reminds me of the book The Dark Room of RKN and also reminds me of A Room of My own by Chinuachibe. It is unfair as to how the fairer sex is treated in the country and probably the situation had been the same worldwide. No wonder feminism rose up to the ranks..
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Thanks, Vinay. Yes, I think the situation is not very different in other countries, as we love to think. The difference is in other countries, the law and order system and the media work effectively, which we can’t expect here.
Happy that my words could evoke in your mind such great names… 😀
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Great thought and lovely expression!
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Thanks, Amitji… 🙂
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I’m just….. wait a minute! If I’d say anything, you’d say, “You’re just too generous.” 😛
So, in short, it made a deep impression on me, and you’re just fabulous. 🙂
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Hehe 😀 Well, nowadays I don’t even say ‘thanks’ to you, as you mentioned one day 😛
Jokes apart, I’m really touched by your words… 🙂
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I agree with Sumana. Everything builds up to that WONDERFUL last stanza. And REALLY I must quote that stanza one day, somewhere. You put your foot down well about having to be polite. A woman’s friendship is to be cherished, when you know she feels comfortable enough to be how she wants to be. One nice thing about blogging for women, I feel, is they can stretch their talent without being told they are beautiful just for standing there and wearing nice clothes. Being ”appreciated” is definitely not enough, and should not be.
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Wonderful thoughts, Hamish. Thank you so much for such nice words… I’m really honoured by your comment that you feel the stanza quotable… 🙂
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Mani, the reality is we are all slaves to our routines and the roles we play. Shorn of them, we wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves.
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Don’t you think we need to change ourselves? … Why are we so haphazard and complicated…I wonder… 😦
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Beautiful.poem. Great thought..
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Thanks a lot… 🙂
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Very beautiful. And over the year I realized that even financial freedom doesn’t ensure freedom otherwise.
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Right…I have seen women with no financial wherewithal, are afraid to break relationships that have given them nothing but pain and sorrow…
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beautifully written!
http://www.docdivatraveller.blogspot.in
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thank you… 🙂
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While I know there are some men believe in the equality and strength of women, I believe a lot of men still are against this notion. Have you seen the Mancriminate campaign? I suggest you take a look at it, and more than that, read the comments about it on social media. The worst one I saw was “Kill feminism. Save man.” I wanted to ask him (the commenter) if man is becoming extinct? I mean, what does that even mean? And most of the comments were in similar vein. In fact, even some of my male friends shared their campaign photos. It was sad, I thought my friends were better than that 😦
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I just googled for it and followed the social media links!! Great surprise for me truly…the comments, some are really painful… 😦
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Lovely poem!
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Thanks so much… 🙂
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How beautifully expressed Mani…. and loved the issue being highlighted so gracefully :’)
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Thanks, dear… often we can send strong message without saying harsh words… 🙂
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Amazing poem. Beautifully written or I’ll just say as usual. Will that do? 😛
I am sure you are a Rahul Gandhi fan 😛 Women empowerment 😀 (pun intended)
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Ewww…RaGa….. No way… 😦
No, just saying as usual won’t do… 😛
BTW, Where have you been? Enjoying an extended weekend with friends?
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Haha… no one loves RaGaaa… 😛
I have only been with myself. 😛 Away from all friends 😀
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Hmm… just jumped to your blog and saw the ‘self-imposed ban’ thing….. and, another very interesting ‘wait’ …. 😛 Do invite me..plz… ( hope I’m guessing it rightly 😀 )
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I am wondering what you are guessing? :O Invite ? For go karting?
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The ‘wait” button there on your blog… aren’t you getting married ? 😛
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Nahi re… No shaadi for me. Women say I am very difficult to deal with 😛 😛
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😀 Well..that means you’ve at least experiences with them…good going… 😛
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Again nahi re. They say I am too crazy and don’t let me come near. So no experiencing as well 😛 😛
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😀 😀 ….
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Hope not too many women in WP are reading this 😛 lol
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As it is WP, so I refrained myself from asking a few more questions…. 😛 😀
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You have 200 other platforms to ask me questions. Feel free to ask whenever, whatever 🙂
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Sure..will do that… 😛
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🙂 🙂
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Wonderfully you have captured the essence of what freedom means to a woman Maniparna.
Women are at times put on a pedestal, at times worshiped as goddess or considered as dainty as flowers yet not considered as equal…and it is not only the men, even the women are responsible for this plight of women.
These line are so hard hitting
“Be good and polite, love everyone but yourself
Freedom? Oh yes! That’s just a chimerical elf!”
So proud of you for this one.
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Couldn’t agree more, Somali. Even women are responsible for their plights….. harsh reality…
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😦
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Loved it… and can totally relate to it… freedom comes at a cost is what we are told and that fear itself prevents to many of us from being free…
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Right, the cost of freedom…many are afraid of that.
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I love how the poem ends…so much strength is there…
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Thanks, Sumanadi… 🙂
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Loveable expressions with strong information.
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Thanks and welcome here on my blog… 🙂
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It’s a lovely expression Mani 🙂
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Thanks so much, Archana…good to see you back… 😀
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I agree with Susan. This is a very empowering poem. Women need to plant all of those seeds of freedom that are inside!
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Thanks, Mary, such a day will come indeed… 🙂
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Argh, lost my comment. I think the reason patriarchal societies keep women down is because they know – and fear – how powerful women really are. Hope for the future lies in women rising to leadership all over the world. We know what the priorities are.
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Definitely, Sherry..women will rise to leadership one day…equality shall be prevailed… 🙂 Thank you so much…
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A most beautiful ballad 🙂 I loved these lines:
What if, I ask, I’m trussed within my heart?
Attachments and obligations, in life’s every part.
Being a woman.. we are constantly bound with responsibilities.. from a very tender age.. we yearn to be free.. to live life on our terms. Perhaps we were chosen for this task as we are no doubt much more resilient 🙂 Beautifully penned!
Lots of love,
Sanaa
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Right you are, we are much more resilient, but I think every human being has the right to enjoy the essence of freedom… 🙂
Thanks a lot for dropping by and sharing your thoughts…. 🙂
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Your poem is empowering–women looking at their lives and knowing the truth of their strength is vital. I read your friend’s article, too, and she certainly shows a hard story. I was surprised it didn’t mention assistance–places women can call for support and shelter when they are ready to leave abusive situations. Are such places available? Something is always lost in such decisions, but there is also so much to gain!
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Thanks, Susan, yes, such assistance cells are there or NGOs. But the thing is, women often fail to understand the nature of such violence.and, take it as normal! The danger primarily lies there…the awareness must come to make them take action against such things…. 🙂
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