BE QUIET

Born as a daughter in a respectable family,

I thanked God for making my life so easy,

I had the freedom to eat what I loved,

I had the freedom to wear what I adored,

But when I spoke, I was asked to remain silent,

As I was too young to speak among the elders.

Grew a bit big, I was the apple of the eye

Of my parents, brothers and they called me sweetie pie,

I was under the shelter of my brothers, safe.

They treated me like a princess and never allowed my feet to touch the ground,

But when I went to express the freedom I desired,

They asked me to remain quiet as it was against veneration.

The youth came without delay furtively to me,

Beauty in me had reached the zenith, and I bloomed like a flower,

Many outstanding proposals knocked on the door,

I was sent with a handsome prince, who loved me like crazy,

But when I tried to express my resentment towards something,

I was quietened, saying I had to cope with the new rules and laws.

The family grew slowly,

From a wife, I turned into a mother,

Responsibilities kept me bounded,

I never realized when time flew away from my hands,

Small, lovely kids who played in my arms were now reaching above my shoulders,

When I tried to quell them, they assuaged me, saying I was old-fashioned.

Now, my hairs have turned grey,

And limbs are worn out,

Many buried thoughts and wishes are oozing out to get expressed,

I brought them to my lips, but my voice is not supporting,

As it is seeing an uninvited guest standing at the doorstep,

Taking me with it forever shushing me permanently.

SO, WHEN DO I SPEAK?