Womanly Courage Poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar

Kannaki had the courage to ask
"Is there woman? Is there man?
Is there a God? "
At her husband's death from injustice.

Droupadi had the courage to ask,
"Is there any learned man in the court? "
When she was dragged in to strip her of clothes.

Where has gone that womanly courage
To two tribe women from Manipur
When they were made to parade naked?

Trauma never leaves the traumatised.
It always sleeps besides the victim,
And snarl at the victim, never resting.

Courage is one's ultimate companion.
அஞ்சாமை அல்லால் வேண்டா எஞ்சாமை
எண்ணி இடத்தால் செயின்
No aid but daring dash they need
When field is chosen right for deed. 497
(From Thirukkural, Tamil Scriptue.)
31,07.2023