A Girl Is Born

In the olden days

To be born a girl

Was a curse.

Yes, a curse.

Nobody recognized her

When decisions were made

A word from her

Was nonsense.

The kitchen-her office.

A girl as if made

To toil and suffer.

Those days, are they gone?

Girls still suffering.

The majority were left with lifetime injuries.

Girl, oh girl.

Good food is taboo for her.

A good child just like their father;

A foolish one resembles their mother.

Inheritance of a girl unheard of

This land, for our boy-child.

But I am a child too.

Who is it that’s left to suffer?

Our sons go to school

And inherit land, houses

And cows.

But remember,

Are not their heights that a girl can reach

Given the chance?

Intelligence knows no bad things.

A girl’s commitment surpasses intelligence.

She’s the First,

Dear, She’s the First,

Thank you for supporting our girl-child.

Thank you for giving us a bright future.

Thank you for building confidence in us.

For you, we shall stand firm

To complete our studies

And come back to support other girls.