I am

You cannot hold me hostage

No, no, I forbid it

You cannot, you will not hold me hostage

To blind traditions and mindless rituals

I will not hide quietly in the corner 

Until my unclean days are done

You cannot hold me hostage

To the boundaries of your small mind

You cannot make me, mould me, 

You cannot get me to adapt, to adjust

I will not go quietly into the kitchen

To learn how to make your tea and toast

You cannot hold me hostage

Chained to the post of your fragile ego

You cannot flatter, then force me 

You cannot continue to push, till I give in 

I will not lie quietly under you

Till you finish using me for yourself

You cannot hold me hostage

Bullied by your biases

You cannot push me around

You cannot put me or my choices down

I will not stay frightened in the shadows 

Or pretend to be anything less than myself

You cannot hold me hostage 

I will not give you power over me

For I am, I was and I ever will be

I exist, I am,

Yes 

I am. 

-Ritu V Rao