Women's Day

Would it not be nice if, in fact,

You did not set aside that one

Charitable day to propitiate us,

But simply, through the year,

Internalised our human status.

Would it not be nice if you

Understood how, lacking us,

Your brood would have no

Existence, not to speak of

Swagger, muscle, puissance.

Would it not be nice if, in fact,

You came alive to the infinite

Beauty of our complimentarity,

Finding fulfilment and grace

In our answering disparity.

Would it not be nice of you

To be grown into an intelligence

That could show you how

Our minds are often keener

Than your own; how being equal

With us could groom and bless

Your humanness more than

This or that warlike icon.

Would it not be nice if you knew

How, when push comes to shove,

You need us more than we need you.

Badri Raina