I dabbled in creative writing back in school and college. And won some awards too. Life happened, and my first love, art, took a priority. A big thanks to Blogchatter and MyFriendAlexa for rekindling my love for creative writing.
“Tu beti nahi, beta hai (you are not a daughter, but a son)”. Nothing gets my goat more than this statement. Now I get to hear it ever more after my dad’s passing. I scribbled this last weekend on Daughter’s Day.
They say I am a son. Nothing irks me more.
I am no different than what I was when young.
I was a daughter then, I am a daughter now
I was a daughter when my father was mocked as the only brother to have one.
I was a daughter when they questioned about investing in my education.
I was a daughter when I launched my company and made it grow.
I was a daughter when the same naysayers took pride in my achievements.
I was a daughter then, I am a daughter now.
I was a daughter when the doctors insisted on talking to a man.
You would not be able to take the news, they said.
I was a daughter when I researched the procedures.
I was a daughter when I cleaned my father’s stitches.
I was a daughter when the sight of blood did not make me queasy.
I was a daughter then, I am a daughter now.
I was a daughter when I was stopped from touching my father’s ashes.
Daughters aren’t allowed to do that, he said.
I was a daughter when I made the arrangements.
I was a daughter when I handled the paperwork.
I was a daughter then, I am a daughter now.
I was always a daughter, the apple of my parents’ eyes.
I am a daughter, my brother’s partner in crime.
I was never weak, but a girl is all everyone saw.
Please do not undermine me by calling me a son.
I am a daughter, and shall always be a daughter.
I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa.
Image by Christine Sponchia from Pixabay
September 28, 2019 @ 2:09 pm
“Please do not undermine me by calling me a son.” This line speaks volumes. So heart touching and emotional. Your writing is clean, smooth & expressive. Good work. Keep writing.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:36 pm
Thank you for your kind words, Srishti. They made my day 🙂 .
September 28, 2019 @ 11:20 pm
Yes. A daughter is capable of doing everything by herself. There is no need to look for a son in her. A daughter is enough and complete just as a daughter!
September 29, 2019 @ 3:01 pm
Ditto Sonia. Why does a daughter need to be called a son?
March 12, 2020 @ 3:38 am
Or ‘Kash to ladka hoti’ – like saying you are a perfect child yet lacking somehow.
March 12, 2020 @ 5:13 pm
Exactly! Daughters are daughters, why do they need to be a son.
March 12, 2020 @ 6:07 pm
Heart felt write up Ritu, so much depth in your words. So much love for your family.