The Smile That Called It

Tears in her eyes, her mascara worn off,

She looked miserable, her clothes had been torn off.

Her heart was broken, her soul was scarred for life,

They said, "Well, that's what happens when girls go out at night".

She just smiled at you, and you thought it was a sign?

Nothing can ever justify what you did was fine!

"Boys will be Boys" and "Girls need to be careful".

How can you say all that and not feel shameful?

It deepened the extent of her misery and her pain,

When her own mother said, "You've belittled our family name".

They said, "keep her indoors,

she should be punished for the shame she's brought."

But what sin did she commit?

"Such things don't happen like that, her dress must have been too short."

No, it wasn't! She was covered from head to toe in a beautiful suit.

Silence slowly seeped in and all were now mute.

"But her makeup clearly asked for attention."

Oh dear, that's just your misconception.

Our whole system is based on victim-blaming and if those women question you,

They're told, "Girl why are you uselessly complaining?"

The evildoers walk about freely full of pride,

While the survivors are left displaced to make numerous strides.

Their heads now hung down in shame.

They had lost the blame game.

And then they asked me, "Why do you care so much for her justice?".

I smiled and said, "because for our nation's development it must is."

"But you are a man, you don't know her pain".

A long time ago my friend, I too was stranded in that same rain.