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