Let me rant
Let me rant about what I do
About what I do for a living
I’ll tell you stories
I collected from the world
I’ve traveled a little around
To countries better and worse
Than the one we live in

I went to the UK
There were these bars
Called the ‘Gentleman’s clubs’
I never stepped inside
Because of the tales I heard
If you go alone and someone gropes you
Don’t be offended
You’re a single woman
In a gentlemen’s club

The following year
I went to Bangladesh
I walked around my hotel
For minutes twentyish
Men stared in the dark
At a woman as if open invitation
Their eyes ravaging me already
Even though I was covered
From head to toe
They said you’re a single woman
In a dangerous man’s world

I went to Delhi
Locked myself in my room
Scared as hell to explore alone
To be a single woman
In a chauvinist man’s world

I took an auto in Bombay
Post midnight
Friends and family concerned
Because I’m a single woman
In a desperate man’s world

I’m unable to fathom
How such a fear set in
Why I was constantly told
You’re a single woman
In a man’s world

Standing tall, strong

In this man’s world

I ask you why

Why must we as a gender

Always be afraid

Of saving our honour

Protecting it more than

We were permitted to

Chase our dreams

 

Why must we as a gender

Always be a cause for concern

Told to be taken care of

Held hostage for

Never bringing shame

To those around us?

 

I’m a woman

Fearless, shameless

Able and breathtaking

In a scared man’s world

 

You can watch the video here.