Swetha Vangaveti Poet Free verse

You Belong To You

What have you done to us my child?
I tore my body to bring you here
He wetted his shirt with sweat to ink your books
23 years of learning gave you a well-paying job
Your job gifted you a high held head.

Then what has gone wrong with you my child?
We chose a man to take your hand
We mistook that he makes your life a merry-go-round.
He used your beauty, brain and brass.
But that doesn't mean you have to suffer all the loss.

Did I give you birth to offer you as a prey on someone else's plate?
Couldn't our blood instil courage in you that you surrendered your life to the fear of a demon?
Didn't your red belt remind you that you are a fighter?
Why hasn't your education given you confidence to face life's challenges?
Why hasn't your job given you courage to live an independent life?

The walls of the dark room shouted beyond their limits to stop you
The wooden cupboard tried its best to hide the bottle from you
The locked door tried to break open its latch to show the world your cowardice
The flickering lamp's attempts to ignite your mind proved to be powerless.

When the eyes of your 2-year old search for you in the middle of the night,
how should I tell that the greed of her dad gulped her mother's breath?
When your father madly waits for you over the weekend,
how should I convince him that his bold daughter has boldly ended her life?
When your friends look for a shoulder to lean on,
how should I tell them that you burnt your body beyond recognition?
When my heart wants to kiss your forehead and hug you,
how should I show it the powdered you resting in that copper canister?

I tell all the daughters out there
Your life is not your wicked blackmailing boyfriend
Your life is not your selfish husband nor your greedy in-laws
Your life is not your snatched virginity 
Your life is not a dowry case on the cop's table

Your life is your courage, it should stand as an inspiration.
Your life is your identity, it should set an example.
Your life is YOU.
Your life is YOU.

Your blood is yours, don't let it flow for the foolish.
Your bones are yours, don't crush them under their greedy paws.
You belong to YOU and not to anyone else.

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Kai Michael Neumann June 10, 2019 at 1:12 AM Wow, that is powerful. Everyone needs to read this. I wish you strength. Kind regards, Kai Swetha Vangaveti June 11, 2019 at 7:45 AM Thanks a lot my friend :)

Darlene De Beaulieu June 9, 2019 at 1:09 PM Hello Swetha Vangaveti, yes that is right, You belong to you: Have a nice day my friend. Have a nice day my friend. Swetha Vangaveti June 9, 2019 at 11:23 PM Thank you so much Darlene :)

Solomon Ochwo-Oburu June 5, 2019 at 2:02 AM Swetha, you address all girls of the Earth, Well done. Swetha Vangaveti June 9, 2019 at 11:23 PM Thanks a lot. I wish this is heard and read more and more and quite often :)

Maria Williams June 4, 2019 at 6:23 AM You are indeed a gifted poet Swetha, your compelling poetry comes through in a truly honest and flowing way, straight from the heart. The best kind. Your last most powerful line encapsulates all... You belong to YOU and not to anyone else. Love that.....Maria Hugs Swetha Vangaveti June 9, 2019 at 11:22 PM Thanks a million for your lovely words Maria :)

Arturo Michael May 25, 2019 at 6:58 AM A powerful message from the heart... All the best Swetha Swetha Vangaveti June 9, 2019 at 11:21 PM Thanks a ton :)

Charles Messina May 20, 2019 at 12:42 PM This one is so sad, heart breaking for sure. Very well written and written with great feeling and emotion. Well done, Swetha...keep penning. Charlie Swetha Vangaveti June 9, 2019 at 11:21 PM Thanks a lot Charlie. :) I surely will :)

Jennifer Proxenos May 19, 2019 at 2:37 AM Swetha, I have only recently started reading your poems. All that I would like to say is that you are a talented poetess, who can write with intense emotion! You have penned such heartfelt, soul touching words, although very sad, a fave. for me. Hugs, Jennifer. Swetha Vangaveti June 9, 2019 at 11:20 PM Oh thanks a lot Jennifer. I hope my poems drag you to visit my page often. Feeling blessed :)

Richard Lamoureux May 17, 2019 at 8:14 AM This piece left me heartbroken and hopeful. I pray women grasp this power and throw off the cloak of oppression that enshrouds them. Many poets write for a life time and will never experience what it is like to write such an incredible piece. I can’t say enough about this piece. Blessings Richard. Swetha Vangaveti June 9, 2019 at 11:19 PM Your words boosted my morale. A boost to write more and touch many more. Thanks alot for the beautiful comments. :)

Nette Onclaud May 15, 2019 at 1:11 PM the pang of despair when a child forgets the meaning of self-love and care... a mighty work, swetha... huggs Swetha Vangaveti June 9, 2019 at 11:18 PM Thanks a lot Nette :)

Gershon Wolf May 14, 2019 at 9:01 PM Pow! Bang! … Potent penning, Swetha! Swetha Vangaveti May 15, 2019 at 5:48 AM Thanks a lot Gershon :)

Sunlite Wanter May 14, 2019 at 10:24 AM So heart wrenching. So poignantly and pleadingly written. Swetha Vangaveti May 15, 2019 at 5:47 AM Thank you Sunlite :)

Caren Krutsinger May 14, 2019 at 8:23 AM Shout this louder and more often. We all need to hear it. Every one of us. " Your life is your courage, it should stand as an inspiration. Your life is your identity, it should set an example. Your life is YOU. Your life is YOU." Wow! Powerful. Swetha Vangaveti May 15, 2019 at 5:47 AM Thanks a lot for those uplifting words Caren :)