The Great Secretary

As a child

When she had fallen prey to animals

Like her uncle, her father, and her teacher

She had been asked to keep it a secret..

As a young girl 

When she had fallen in love with boys

From a different class, from a different caste, from a different religion

She had been asked to keep it a secret..

As a bride 

When she had been asked about her history

Of romantic relationships

She had been asked to keep them a secret.. 

As a wife 

When she had not wanted to have sex

When she had not been fully satisfied

She had been asked to keep it a secret..

As a mother 

When her contributions had not gotten recognised

When her prayers had been filled with pain

She had been asked to keep them a secret.. 

As a grandmother 

When her grandchildren had made fun of her forgetfulness

When her only memories had been regrets of no respect

She had been asked to keep them a secret.. 

No wonder then 

That the headstone of her grave read

"Here lies a great secretary"

Honouring the word 'secretary' with its ancient meaning..

Her children did not understand why

Her grandchildren did not understand why

But her husband and her society and her past did.