Of Patriarchy and Feminism

Change your name
leave your house
stand behind him
act like a mouse

Adapt and adjust
give us a male heir
question in-laws?
don't you dare !

If we feel generous
we'll allow you to work
but house responsibilities
you must not shirk

Respect must be shown
by staying quiet
airing your opinions
could cause a riot

Follow our rules
In the name of tradition
question or flout them
you may be charged of sedition

First you're a wife
then you're a mother
setting priorities?
choose no other!

Be subservient and dutiful
uphold our family name
don't do anything
that could bring us shame

Woman are largely
brought up this way
how empowered are they
is for you to see and say

Mangalsutra and sindoor
changing their surname
are tools of patriarchy
used subtly to tame

Say this aloud
be ready for an attack
to be told of all the virtues
and the decency you lack

'What is the harm
in giving in here and there
these are just some ways
to show that I care'

women defend and explain
and men just wonder
what is the point of
causing unrest and thunder

To bring about change
we must create some storms
we all must unite
and challenge the norms

It's not against or for
It is not us and them
It requires us all
to uproot the stem

Patriarchy is gender neutral
It can crumble only when,
feminism is not seen as
a war against men!