Cruising Alone

  So, you thought I would simply burn in rage While you quenched your passion with another... And when I spoke up against your ridiculous behavior, You dared to say— If it were not for your own sin, I’d have to deal with your brother. So, you could threaten me as much as you like, But when I matched you word for word, You dared to say I belong in a mental ward. Did you honestly think you can clip my wings, And I will vanish, extinct, like a flightless bird? You can't even handle your own dirty work, Always need one henchman or another To hide that smirk. Do you really believe you are a good guy ? Even Hiranyakashipu and Raavan Sent their sisters first, to burn and humiliate— And you can burn me all you want... Not every coal becomes a diamond in the rough. But honey, I was never just coal to begin with.

  Baby, I am no Snow White, I am hardly fairest of them all. You can try your best to take my kingdom, And have me take a fall. I am not afraid to crawl through a sewage pipe, Give and take 500 yards— And still rise to the top, No matter how much you fumble up with my dealt cards. You can drench that tasty treat, And act as if you had me beat. But if you try to poison me, I will spit it right back on your face— Because I walk my own road, Not a rat like you, Who tried to play me and then said I am stuck in a maze. You are no one's charming prince, Let everyone see you wince. The fact you said you'd rather be with a dumb one, That you are happy you dodged an effing c*nt... That you would rather climb someone tall, And that I am only a runt... If that's true, Go ahead and do a witch hunt. Because you can try— But I rise from ashes, No matter how much I am burnt.

  You may think you broke me with all the cruel words you spoke, but I have always been a Peacock. I leave those love-colored iridescent tokens everywhere I go. Everyone treasures them and makes them forever keepsakes, even if some of you would love to see me burn on stakes. And you may think you made me cry... but I am a Peacock—I thrive in those downpours... You went around lecturing me to focus on simple chores... while you were trying to grind for those plastic crores... But even the Goddess Lakshmi is often symbolized by a Peacock by her side... and even my name means Gold, and you dared to call me a gold digger... So, while you work in stealth, I am the source of never-ending wealth... Because I am a Peacock... A few have explicitly told me that would like to taste my muffins and cakes... But I am like those rare porcelain sets— not for folks like you with your ridiculous schemes and tests. And I am sure your binary brain would go "but Peacock is manly..." True... becau...

  You might crave your new woman’s touch, long for her embrace like a cherished clutch— but I have wanted to self-immolate because of your touch. Run around, claim you’ve won a jackpot , but it’s not rejection I fear— it’s your filthy gaze, your uninvited touch . You said you were being cruel to be kind? I’d love to press rewind. You begged for my love first, but now you chase another— just hunger, no soul. I know how it feels to be touched without permission . Yet, you—relentless—pressed me to submit, to erase my no as if it never existed. While you laughed, busy painting me as a rejected soul, I spent nights undoing every single touch . So go ahead, call me vile— but even after all that, I was good to you.

  Born the elder of two girls, I thought, "Be strong, be wise, for who else would take care of them?" So I studied hard, played sports to build muscle, Not for joy, but survival. Yet someone's son says I was always an insane woman. I ignored the indecent touch, Kept my skirts in the drawer and wore cargo pants instead, Silent, because I couldn’t risk losing my freedom— The freedom to complete a school project. So I collected A’s, never rants, But someone's son says I was always an insane woman. I became a shield, a safe haven, Protecting those who sang in their innocence. Yet someone's son says I was always an insane woman. I befriended men others scorned, Thought kindness could mend wounds— But instead, I was wounded. Sexually assaulted by one I tried to defend. Still, someone's son says I was always an insane woman. At 25, exhaustion clung to me like a shadow. Couldn’t even learn the violin without That middle-aged man stealing my dignity. Yet someone's ...

I always have a target on my back, Asked to shrink, to dim, to turn the lack. When I shine, I see the frown — it’s clear, "Can you hold back your victories, my dear?" "Hey, don’t talk to him, please, I get so jealous, When you laugh with the one who caught my eye, he’s precious." Yeah, I’m not the one trying to steal anyone’s man, I crave deeper talks, in truth, that’s my plan. Behind my back, the plots will unfold, I once thought they were real, but their hearts turned cold. I compliment those who shine, with no agenda, just praise, I believe in lifting others, not in petty games or praise. Why would I take what belongs to another? What’s theirs is theirs, I have no need to smother. I was never trying to be "great"—you can quote me on that, I’ve always wondered if maybe you’re better at that. Still, you think I’d ever envy what you hold, The boy who crushed my ego, yet I remain bold. Please, stay with her, she’s lovely, I know, Does she know you paraded h...

  Now you are a better man, Because you found spirituality in a foreign land. But aren’t you the one who shamed me once, Claiming I was “old enough” and should have watched porn? Why? Because being a woman who made food with love wasn’t enough? Do you think I needed to be “cool” to have a man? That after every objectifying glance, I had to shape myself—quirky tees, muted dreams, Just to be a shadow of what you demand? You labelled me a gold digger—way to go, divine coder. Was I afraid to ask or learn because I wasn’t a nine-pointer? Shy, not assertive—was that my crime? When I wasn’t sure if I could speak my mind? You enjoyed more freedom and independence than me, But can you even relate to that disparity? I dreamed of strength, of standing tall, Long before I understood these walls. Now you felt violated when someone touched you without consent, But I’ve carried that burden since I was a child— Do you really think I’m fragile? Weak? Do you know what goes on in the back of a woman’...

When I was quieter, more reserved, and unable to communicate the depths of my pain, they called me calm, motherly, and nurturing. They admired what they saw as my gentleness, unaware of the storm I kept buried inside. But when I finally began to stand up for myself—to voice the ways I had been hurt, the pain I had endured, and the things I had dealt with—I became a “psychopath,” a “nutjob,” someone to be pitied. Suddenly, I had “no self-esteem,” and my assertiveness was too much for them to handle. Isn’t it ironic? The very person who said I needed to stand up for myself tried to snuff out my voice the moment it became inconvenient for them. They talked about being a “good person,” about respecting women because they had a mother and a sister. But where was that respect when they mocked my pain, dismissed my struggles, and invalidated my truth? This poem is my response to their hypocrisy—a voice they couldn’t silence. So, when I tried to confront you with all the ways you hurt me, With...

Have you ever been told that you couldn’t rise again after facing hardship? This poem is a declaration of resilience, showing that no matter how deep the darkness, we have the power to shine. It’s about reclaiming your strength, even when others try to diminish it. My heart is full of love and care, You can try, but you won’t bring despair. I shine, still, the brightest flame— Your darkness can’t touch what you can’t tame. You wrapped me in shadows, tried to pull me under, But I’ve made friends with my storms, my thunder. Every scar, every tear—I’ve seen it through, And found the strength to rise anew. You can’t take my voice, can’t dim my light; I was born to return to what’s right. Even as I fell, I wore my pain, And with every fall, I rose again. I know my shadow, I know my past, But love and glory are mine at last. No matter how hard you push me down, I always rise—with a bigger crown. So, how does it feel when you refuse to be broken? When you rise stronger after every fall, holdi...

  You should have left the gully cricket talks with your boys. I do like a good lightsaber, but I am into different types of toys. Not that you ever had a good grip on you... I am sure you only enjoy it when they strip for you. What made you think that you ever pulled me with your charm? My words are enough to do the harm. You really think you brought me down to my knees? That somehow you got into my head... and you wish I were dead. Not your money nor your image, I always like to take centre stage... If I seem strange it's because I have an emotional range. True freedom is what I honestly crave, Not your lifelong bondage. No desire to control or be controlled. You might call yourself a catch, But I am not yours or anyone's, in fact. I am my own person first, Not a piece of meat for you to lust... Dare to make fun of my vulnerability And you would lose all your credibility. If "All the world's a stage," and if we all are merely players, Then I would create my own ...

I’ve been the one who carried the weight, stretched myself thin, and poured every ounce of my being into others. As a woman, I’ve been expected to give—without question, without hesitation—overextending, overcompensating, always trying to be the source of comfort, the one to sacrifice. But no more. No more will I risk my life, my energy, or my soul for anyone who does not reflect the respect and care I deserve. From now on, I will not stand up for you if it comes at the cost of my peace. I will not fight your battles when my own are left bleeding. I am not responsible for fixing your chaos, carrying your burden, or mending your broken pieces. I am not here to soothe your pain, to make you feel better at my expense. I am done being the one who stands at the edge, putting myself in harm’s way for your comfort. As a woman, I am finally learning the power of saying “No.” I am learning to protect myself with the same love I have freely given others. I will no longer sacrifice my health, my ...

This poem reflects on the silent struggles women endure and the scars they carry—often hidden—yet powerful in their strength and resilience. Why must I, a woman, tuck away each scar, Keep battles buried, no matter how far? Does it shrink me, weaken my worth, To wear these marks of the wars I've birthed? I’ve seen these boys with heads held high, Boasting of strength if a fever goes by, Or chest out, proud, from some shallow scrape, While I’m asked to silence each wound, each ache. They tell me to smile, not show the cracks, As if my pain’s a burden, or grace I lack. Yet I’ve stood through storms that would have them yield, Facing each fury with no sword or shield. Why should I pretend, cover the truth, When I faced battles alone, in my youth? Every scar I wear is a badge, a name, A testament, not of shame, but flame. So no, I won’t hide or cast them away— These marks are proof of the dues I pay. I’m woman, I’m warrior, wounded but whole, Bearing tales of courage, wearing them bold....

  I ’ve kept my strength hidden, Like it might betray me if I let it show. Always second-guessing, always quiet, While settling for less, even when I know. I take what’s not meant for me, Things that dull the light I carry inside. And over time, frustration festers, Like a storm, I’ve refused to ride. Why can’t I say what I truly crave? Why do I let their voices matter more? I bend and shrink, afraid to break, Afraid that they’ll see me roar. I am tired of holding myself small, Tired of pretending I don’t need more. Why should I care what others think? When I’ve known my desires from the core. I’ve carried the weight of being “nice,” Of hiding the fire that burns my chest. But it’s time to shed this quiet facade, And demand what’s truly for my best. Let them talk, let them judge, I won’t play by their rules anymore. I am done with second-guessing, It’s time to stand in my own power’s core. ~ Kanika Kaushal ✨ The Luminous Muse