Down The Memory Lane

Going down the memory lane,
It all gushes back.
The books tucked behind the shelves,
Hidden, saved from the accusing eyes.
The hours spent with the dishes,
A spoon in hand. No pen.
The wolfish stares of a hundred men.
The hands of society, always holding back.
The chains I fought so hard to break,
Changing shapes with changing time-
The father, the husband and now the son.
The tears �" bitter, but never ever weak.
The battles fought for a good chance in life.
The walls, the hurdles, big and small.
But down the memory lane,
Some things do not change �"
The smile that does not waver,
The hands that do not shake,
The spirit that cannot be dampened,
The soul that will not be crushed.
Then, now and tomorrow, my voice remains,
I am a woman and proud to be.

Author's Note

Written during a 2 hour inter-school versification competition..the topic given was 'Down The Memory Lane'

Reviews

[(Super) Heroes Never Di..]

Oh, I love this. I can see so much of my past in this. Its almost like looking into a mirror. Absolutely beautiful.
"The hours spent with the dishes, / A spoon in hand. No pen."
This, among other things, really sticks out to me.
I always mark a good writer as someone who is able to make you think or feel, and you have made me do both, though I don't know that that was intentional. All the same, you are brilliant. You are absolutely brilliant, and this piece is as well.
Keep it up. Keep writing.

[Mal]

Thank you so much! Its not that I have gone through any of these personally. I have been blessed by a wonderful and supportive family and being 16, its not like I've fully experienced whats out there for a woman. But I've seen all this around me, especially from where I come from. I was just doing the two things I love the most - observe and write.

[(Super) Heroes Never Die]

That's wonderful that you've been able to do this kind of piece from the outside looking in. That's talent :)

[Mal]

This is what keeps me going! Thanks again :D

[Emma Kirchhoff]

Wow. This is amazing! I love this! "The smile that does not waver, The hands that do not shake, The spirit that cannot be dampened, The soul that will not be crushed." Wonderful.

[Mal]

thanks Emma :)

[Emma Kirchhoff]

No problem:D

[Hamza]

women aren't that mistreated i suppose... they're killed even before they're born...
that's the truth... and the bar of educating her no more exists in that case ..
this is disappointing but true for a nation like ours... where women are supposed to be worshiped and respected ... still women are made to face the wrath and it is she who sacrifices everything ...
you have depicted everything wonderfully ...
God bless :)

[Mal]

thank you :)

[A Social Corpse]

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that this was written in the eyes of many women. What I mean is, the line about the books to me can be interpreted as back in the older days. When women weren't supposed to be educated, all they needed to know was how to take care of their man. If that is how you wanted this piece to be read then fantastic job! If not, fantastic job! Women have come a long way in history and it is good to see that you are proud to be one.

[Mal]

yes, what I intended to do was bring out the struggles of many women, around the globe, into one single piece. Thank you for the feedback.