They Feared Girl Child

India is land of patriarchy,

things are changing they show,

but, girls are seen as burdens,

they fear the birth of a daughter,

but pray for boys.

I had a girl, I was thrilled,

my spouse too.

The parents-in-law were not,

stayed silent or commented on baby's looks.

I struggled with blood pressure,

the baby barely survived, born premature

started life in the NICU, with a food tube.

I am career-oriented, one kid should be enough

the world's population, is crossing carrying capacity,

but it's foreign land, no support system,

my kid needed support in her youth,

so we decided to get her a sibling.

The father-in-law, didn’t pick up the phone,

the mother-in-law is his puppet, no voice.

I was not surprised, I knew their psychopathy,

another girl would be nightmare,

their son's money would go as dowry,

and they wouldn’t get to exploit him.

But in time, a boy was born.

they offered sweets to people,

organized feast in a temple,

grinned ear to ear, as if won a trophy,

spoke to me softly, for a change.

I don’t care for any of that farce,

a woman wants love and understanding

When she's vulnerable, like during pregnancy,

not after she's crossed that hellish roller coaster.

So now you know the story,

don’t tell me parents are gods,

they are worse than monsters.

I try, to never be one like them.

If I can’t help, I will not demand.

even if I can help, I will not control,

will not play foul, not taint my soul.

Note: Does such ugly social rules exist in your country?