I seek Freedom.
From the prejudices of how the world percieves me to be,
While fulfilling the responsibilities of being a mother, wife, and daughter
Do not think that I’m enslaved, nor are these my burdens.

I seek freedom
From the hypocrisy that funds the cosmetic industry,
From the slogans in “Aurat” Marches who feel my religion is a bondage and I must be liberated.

I seek freedom
From those who feel a “working” woman is only the one who goes “out” to work.
From being commodified.
From lusting eyes, from casting couches, from the fear of losing out.

I seek Freedom From your idea of Freedom!
Where modesty is equated with being weak
And boldness with revealing your skin.
Where a mask becomes a norm overnight, but the divine veil remains a threat!

I seek Freedom From your idea of Freedom!
Where having multiple children is considered oppression.
While having none is incompleteness!
Where mere consent defines legitimacy.
As morals change with time.

I seek Freedom From your idea of freedom
Where the struggle for freedom is fought to get ruled by elected oppressors.
And your food, attire, name can put you at the mercy of lynchers.
Where consciousness dies fearing the “infringement of privacy”
Where public opinion is manufactured, yet called democratic.

I seek Freedom From your idea of freedom
Where education is meant to serve the existing order.
While a truthful contradiction is seen as seditious.
Where power, media and votes decide innocence and guilt, and an obscure headline later reads,
“Acquitted due to lack of evidence” after a decade long stint!

I seek Freedom From your idea of freedom
And I willingly SUBMIT my freedom to the one who has given me Freedom.