Hear Meena!

Hear Meena! Why do you look out of the window?
The sun is out, don’t you have to wake up the household?

Where are my clothes, if not evenly laid out for me to wear?
And where are my shoes, if not polished to a faulty shine?
Why is my bath water not prepared? And why haven’t you taken out a new soap?

Hear Meena! Why are you looking through my books? What is there for you?
Why don’t you go make breakfast? And massage ma’s legs?
Why don’t you lay out the dining table? And squeeze the juice out of fruits for us?
Why don’t you prepare my Tiffin? And make something for the boys?
Why don’t you go wake everyone and serve them hot tea?

Hear Meena! Why are you looking at my eyes?
Why don’t you fan me in the heat? Why don’t you rub some oil on my feet?
Look down when you talk to me. Why don’t you go start washing the clothes?
And put them up for drying before the sun goes down! And clean the utensils also.
Why can’t you show some respect? Who are you to challenge me?

Hear Meena! Why are your darkening the house with sadness?
Why cant you just work in the kitchen? Or clean the bathrooms?
The clothes need ironing and the rooms need to be cleaned.
Who will dust the ceiling fan? Who will keep the windows sparkling?
Who will make dinner, water the plants, get us water and groceries if not you?

Hear Meena! Why do you weep unnecessarily?
We have given you everything. We have made you comfortable.
If not for us, where would you be? What do we demand of you? Why be so ungrateful to your benefactors?
Our precious is an IAS officer, of a good rank. He gets us so much.
He deserves a better wife. But we chose you. Do you not see?

Hear Meena! Why are you looking far off?
Did they not teach you? Daydreaming is a sin. Why don’t you get to your work?
Get your head back on this earth. What are you worth?
Be compliant Meena, be meek. For what is strength when reduced to tears?
And what are dreams when reduced to fears?