Oppression Trauma

The village is bucolic,

but the people are toxic.

I'm talking about my spouse’s native place,

a remote part of India,

where patriarchy still rules the roost.

Women are resigned to the fate,

of being treated as doormats,

or so it seems.

I was visiting the village,

while pregnant,

neighbor women came to see me.

As is the culture,

I had to bow and touch their feet,

no problem with the ritual.

I can handle that,

I was just a guest.

But then came the blessings,

which felt more like curses.

What was that?

"May you have a son."

Excuse me?

Did I ask for your opinion?

Maybe I wanted a daughter,

maybe I just wanted a healthy baby.

I had suffered from infertility,

as I ruined health in stressful work.

And now this, the chain of trauma.

They were forced into this dogma,

and now they’re passing them on

as if it’s normal,

it's anathema!

I feel deeply sorry, for this stupidity—

for the slavery they still live in.

They don’t know how to rebel,

fearing indignity.

Parental inheritance goes to brothers,

If she speaks up against the husband,

she’ll be cast to the streets,

preyed upon by lechers.

What will she do?

So she perpetuates the crime.