Traditions (Poem)

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Traditions (Poem)

Today there is an uproar in the state
two young women dared to enter the temple
where only men and old women could enter
“The God could be lured by young damsels”, men say
that is the tradition why women were barred to pray,
then Gods are no better than Men, desire stricken
Men are worse than Gods, rules we do not question
traditions need to change!

One black woman dared to sit in the front
white men made an uproar, violent acts followed
not to break the traditions of blinded racism
struggled brewed, thousands died
equality, a struggle still in flame
traditions need to change!

Few women marched in long silence
to make it count in the existence
Men cajoled, why do it now, go back to kitchen
thousands marched, for voting rights
hundred years of struggle still in fight
many places women cannot vote yet
why women are constrained by society of men
traditions need to change!

Few women dared to speak of past
advantage men took while at work
#MeToo movement made a statement
some say it was about time for the change
some said it went too far, not sure it is needed
have you thought about the women in pain
traditions need to change!

So many inequalities for thousands of years
it may be religious pretext or judgement uproar
why women had to take so much burden
constrains for every occasion, chained
traditions need to change!

Each of us need to make a stand, Men and Women
break the old traditions which does not make sense
when my grandfather died, priest told rules in religious text
bereaved women should not do “this and that”
all sorts of constraints, to make her life more painful
the text had very little for the Men for the opposite
“forget what scriptures rules”, I am ignorant
will look after my grandmother, she is already in pain.
“Love” trumps all traditions, that is all we understand
traditions need to change
traditions in inequalities MUST change!

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While traveling in India,  on Jan 4, 2019 there was a strike in the state of Kerala on Sabrimala temple issue. Wrote the poem while waiting in the hotel for the strike to get over.

Jan 4, 2019

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