Don't

I never asked you to
Bear me and clap hands
Hoping I would look towards you
While all the time you turned around
Looking at Sujata auntie's child
Responding much quicker than I did.

I never asked to be born
So that you could shelve
The plans that you had made
If it were a daughter
And then underline the words
"IFS" and "Tennis star" in red
And then again in green and black.

I never asked to enter this earth
So that you can show me off
To all those who entered your house
And in their eagerness mentioned
How their son won the arts contest.
And then enroll me in a nearby arts class.

I never asked to live in this world
Where an education is time-bound
And not a stairway into the boundless,
Where being humane is never taught
By teachers and parents who call
Themselves well-wishers and human

I never asked for this life
Where I will be counted in terms
Of strengths and weaknesses
And finally tallied into the sum of
A model student or someone who was
What your son should never become.

I never asked for all of this

I am not here for you -

You are here for me

To teach me how

I could be there for others.

If you can't help me enjoy this world

If you can't help me be warm in the skin you gave

If you can't open up this world for me

Because my hands are too small

And I instinctively love you

Liking it when you place

Your hands on mine and are in

Awe that I moved the heavy door.

If you can't introduce me to

What living and loving is all about;

If you don't know why you want

To give me life,

Then don't,

Please don't,

Don't.