"The Half of Everything"

The day she quickened
I could talk to her
Could only hear her
My vision was blurred.

She told dad, “ Oh! Listen
The baby just kicked."
And God knows how
The evil idea clicked.

The entire family was eager
To know who I was
On a girl, they lament
On a boy, they applause.

My mom resisted
And cried in solitude
She was weak, she was helpless
I could easily conclude.

I talked to her secretly
Don’t worry, I’ll be fine
I am safe inside you
In my homely confine.

But she knew the aftermath
Of the ultrasound scan
Pre- natal sex determination
Though has been absolutely banned.

At last they all knew
That I was a female child
My loving caring grandma
Now turned bitterly wild.

They all conspired
To get me aborted
By hook or by crook
Get this “problem” sorted (out).

My mother was rebellious
I could hear some arguments
And scuffles gradually
Turned into gruesome torments.

The cold cruel criminals
Finally vanquished my breath
Instead of my loving mother
I was handed over to death.

I wished her good bye
Could see her bitterly crying
But I was still happy; after all
It wasn’t she who was dying.

But she told me -her daughter
That with my every ebbing breath
It was her motherhood
Dying a thousand deaths.

It’s not only me
Many like me are being killed
Creating a void
That none can ever fill.

People only want “him”
But who will marry their boys?
I was throttled even before
I could raise my voice.

Who will be the next Indira ?
Or Kalpana Chawla ever thought ?
Just cursed my mother
For what she has brought.

Who will beget you children?
Or carry your families forward?
Killing the helpless
Is acting like a coward.

You fear of my birth
Is it because of dowry?
On your mindset people
I feel piteous and sorry.

Sex ratio is falling
Crimes against women are rising,
And it’s going to be worse
Than what you’ve been surmising!

You still have some time
That will soon run out.
You'll reap what you've sown.
That's what Karma’s all about.

Save the Girl Child.
It’s my ardent request to you!
Give her all the rights, her chances
That she is entitled to.

She is the song of the Spring
That the melodious birds sing.
The elixir of life
The Half of Everything.

-Kanav Khanna