To a degree that promised a bright future, a secure and respectful life

To the convenient paths that carried me and kept me stuck in a complacent life

To the society that painted a perfect picture of a female body; with curves and flawless texture

To relationships that dragged me to ground and drained me of my vigor for life

To bonds that ripped me of my innocence and pushed me to take a look in the mirror of reality

To people, places, and situations that challenged my beliefs and core values

To rejections that shattered my will and left me starving and broke

To strangers who spew hate and to friends who silently hate

To lovers who left with a smile and a piece of my heart

To teachers who belittled my younger self with unfair judgment and  comparison

To relatives who relentlessly try to confine me to four walls of a kitchen and encourage me to dream only of a husband

To everyone who tried too hard to change the idea of the good, kind and cheerful world I had as a little girl

Thank you for abandoning me

I’m no longer tied to you,

You failed to mold me,

My faith was stronger than you

The little girl’s picture was prettier and more believable

Thank you for abandoning me

Because of you, I’m fierce and free

I might not look, feel or sound the same

You might think you’ve succeeded in destroying parts of me

It might look like I’ve changed

but here’s the plot twist,

I’ve only learned and grown

So thank you,

For teaching me to lock my best parts in a treasure chest

and for handing me the power to proudly hold the key

Thank you for abandoning me,

Harboring those strong beliefs and values of the innocent little girl,

And still dreaming of a better world,

I’m fierce and free

and always will be

— Nandini