Timeline of my life

At 1, I was taught to play with dolls Maybe they thought boys better match with balls

At 5, I was taught my favorite color shall be pink

Maybe they knew how colors and lives link At 10, I was taught not to be out for so long,

Maybe they thought it was just wrong At 15, I was taught not to make boyfriends

Maybe they thought it’s how happiness ends.

At 20, I was taught to say bye to shorts Maybe they meant if I fall, it hurts.

At 25, I was taught my family was changing Oh god! Why only my life so challenging At 30, I was taught my husband's joy should be mine

And how all my lights gone still asked me to shine

At 40, I was always taught I shall be the best mother,

They never asked me my passion, my struggle

At 50, when my eyesight went dim

To my god, "please help", I pleaded him At 60, I heard my husband was killed in a war

I cried and feared how I was supposed to restart a life which was never mine

I spend all of it being just too kind Maybe I should have been a little selfish I should have fought for my rights.

Maybe I should have built up my career been bold, beautiful no limits just cheer They taught me many things

But now I want to ask

What does each of them mean? Why was I not allowed to be extraordinary

Like the setting sun in a beautiful scenery They taught and blamed and gossiped a lot

About what was to be done and what was not

After all these years, I want to fly again

Like a winged bird, like in a fairy tale.

I will never care what they say or don't for I have dreamt a bigger world of my own

I will never give up whether smart or coy Cause life is meant to be lived

As a girl or as a boy

For now I have spread powerful wings, I am living a sensible life, it seems

Astha Sharma

Himalaya College of Engineering