Who Owns My Body? (From 'sojourn Of Life') Poem by Sandhya Jane

The corporate polices decide my skirt length,
The fashion industry defines my shoe height;
The cosmetic industry redefines my beauty,
Year after years without failing their duty;
Truly, who owns my body?

My breasts will uncover for selling the products,
But, they must remain covered while feeding my baby;
I wonder what is important - a product or life,
A dilemma faced by every mother, every midwife.
Really, who owns my body?

My kin ask me when will I get married,
After marriage, how many kids will be carried;
But, none is concerned who will look after my kid,
On unfortunate or unpleasant day, will anyone bid?
Frankly, who owns my body?

Bizarre news talk about mysterious details,
Husband setting wife up for career essentials;
Or settling her for some unpaid interest,
Defying the vows, denying the rudiments;
Sincerely, who owns my body?

The newspaper publishes:
I was kicked, I was smacked, and some part was burned,
Mother rejected daughter for ‘family honor' was learned;
Citing some family rules brother was over thrilled;
Of course, settling the score, before I was killed,
Heartlessly asking, who owns my body?

In past, there was a reward for marrying me
Now, there is the award of winning me
It happened earlier and it is happening now
The difference is -
It was an open challenge, now it is in disguise fare
Converting me to another religion - by lure or by dare
Candidly, who owns my body?

Jilted lover thrown acid to disfigure me,
Smart one drawn me in fake marriage promises;
Facing the jilts, facing the betrayal,
I smartly covered my face with makeup;
My eyes remained bare to tell the truth
But, none bothered to read story of my youth
Ultimately, who owns my body?

Until it was time to change it forever
No one will know the real pain ever;
Not a body, it was my soul that had breadth,
And none could touch that even after death;
Thank god for making it invisible, untouchable…
So, I don't care who owns my body?

* This poem is published in 'Sojourn of Life' book.