Hathras

Absolutely ashamed that 

I have to write this

'Cause liars and lawless can't 

Tell what right is.

In a country of Goddesses 

Where women become cattle

Bodies that men use

Just to prove their mettle.

And the holiest of our rivers

Relishes a name that's feminine

But its banks bear witness to

Incidents that left us trembling.

Perpetrated by those who never

Believed in this nomenclature

All they ever cared about was 

Position and social stature.

Seizing someone's daughter as if

She was given to them as charity

Blinded by beastly brutality, they

Ravenously ravaged her chastity.

And after fiercely feasting upon her

They decided not to let her go free

For her family to finally find her 

Frigid form hanging from a tree.

Lifeless and maliciously mutilated

Mercilessly with her tongue cut

To ensure nobody knows nothing

Even in death, her voice sewn shut.

As police protected the persecutors

Society silenced and politicians mute

The cops called it an honest mistake 

An accidental outcome of friendly feud.

When the news reached the media

New hashtags began trending on twitter

Thousands tweeted to stand up for her

Maybe standing with her sounded bitter.

I admit I was one of them too but

I can no longer keep up this facade

Wait for something surreal hoping

That these tragic times won't last.

Putting up a pretence of patience

Acting as if there will be a better day

Ignoring a woman's worries who carries

In her handbag, a can of pepper spray.

We accept it as every day's hassle

Claiming that it's for their own safety

Try telling that to the toddler in tears

Or a violated grandma in her eighties.

Or the woman walking in dark whose

Fears are factless until they're proven

Doesn't dread the dead, she's scared 

More of being haunted by a human.

My intention isn't to offend anyone

But if I do make you feel insecure

Stop basking in blissful ignorance

And ask a woman what she endures.