Because I'm Not a Lady

Because I’m not a lady,

I can laugh out loud

whenever my soul brims with joy.

I can cry shamelessly

And wipe my sorrows away.

After all, a wise man has said,

“Ladies must be seen, not heard”.

 

Because I’m not a lady,

I can choose to be vibrant,

in bright shades of red and green and blue.

I have no compulsions to be “well-dressed”

in dull, unattractive shades of grey and beige.

 

I can dance in the rain and later

Laugh at the hilarious sight of my damaged hair.

I can enjoy the warmth

of the mellow winter sunshine.

My parched skin can delightfully absorb

the scorching heat of summer.

I won’t be ashamed of the tan,

because I’m not a lady

and my beauty isn’t skin deep.

 

I’m not a lady,

tied down by rules…suffering humiliations

under the protective blankets

of tradition, good-manners and decorum.

I don’t have to master

the art of hypocrisy,

because I’m not a lady.

 

I’m a woman, born to be strong and free.

Try to take away my happiness,

I’ll shatter yours.

You can cut off my wings,

my thoughts will soar

to the end of the universe.

You can bruise and cover my mouth,

I can still smile with my eyes.

I don’t care what you think about me.

Because I’m not a lady,

I’m proud to be who I am.

Reviews

[.]

:: well... those ladies aren't true ladies... true ladies are the ones who are "strong and free"... whoever said that "ladies should be seen and not heard" made a big mistake... i think your ideas about freedom are far more liberated and liberating... :)

[DarkFantasy]

Only the oppressed know the value of "ideas of freedom", because if at all they get liberated it is only in thoughts.

[.]

:: hmmm... true that... we'd have to know 'darkness' to know light... but i do believe that liberated thoughts eventually lead to liberated actions... :: two of my favourite examples are the birth of the concept of 'proactivity'... and the birth of 'jazz'... :: 'proactivity' was born because of the concentration camps in Germany... and 'jazz' was born because of slavery... :: perhaps we don't see the manifestation of liberated thoughts soon enough... maybe some of the good happens after we die... but we do impact those around us (including future generations)... but this is just my perspective... it could be wrong...

[DarkFantasy]

You have a good knowledge of things and you do know what to compare them with and how..:) good examples. Liked them. :)

[.]

:: ah... thank you... i'm glad you liked my examples... :)

[Eleanor]

If you are from India maybe you know how ladies were or still are expected to be.
Freedom is the right of everyone. Often that freedom is tied by the ropes of tradition and culture. Women like they say are expected to be seen but not to be heard? Why? Are we just a source of entertainment. Don't we have our own soul which longs to be set free. We have developed and women are now learning their strength. But it still is hidden in many. It's all about enjoying your life. Not about what people think.
I like your thoughts on freedom. Even the most smallest things can feel so great. Great poem here! :)

[DarkFantasy]

Thank you, anonymous woman! :)

[Jeff]

I love this poem. Great work!

[DarkFantasy]

Happy that you liked it..:) thank you..

[Laura Harrison]

I love this poem. You have stood up for all women here by stating that refuse to follow the rules that society sets out for us. Thank you for writing this :)

[DarkFantasy]

I am no one to speak for all women. I have my own flaws and "speaking for them" would be too much of a responsibility. But then I need to speak out the thoughts of the many women who have no voice. And the society...well..I have a personal grudge against the norms..:)

[zainul]

Bold statement with unique beauty.
Love this work.

[DarkFantasy]

Assuming that you loved the thought of liberation which gave birth to this work...thank you..:)

[zainul]

You are most welcome.:)

[SmileOfARebel]

Well done. I like the concept of poem you had written from it.

[Cletus]

nice one ...really enjoyed it ... whats life if you cant just open up and be yourself ... you brought out the elements of freedom effectively ...

[DarkFantasy]

Thank you..:)

[Sami Khalil]

"I’m a woman, born to be strong and free.

Try to take away my happiness,

I’ll shatter yours.

You can cut off my wings,

my thoughts will soar

to the end of the universe."

A splendid read and write...Thank you for penning...:)

[DarkFantasy]

Thank you so much for the review. It has boosted up my confidence.

[Sami Khalil]

Most welcome...:)

[Jwakefield]

Wow, this is fantastic work. Great concept, expertly penned. Really wonderful.

[DarkFantasy]

Thank you. I was worried that many people may not like it because it's too prosaic. I guess I was wrong. Your compliment is here to prove that I have succeeded in communicating the concept.