See her walk with her head held high

Fearless, confident and strong

Untouchable and indestructible

Making the world dance to her song.

See her close the door behind her

Before she takes off her mask

Burnt, bruised, injured, damaged

She lets her truth, in sunlight, bask.

See her now tremble and cry

Her frail figure bent and weary

She drags her feet across the floor

And her eyes are puffy red and teary.

But the facade is not a deception

A lie for the world to see

It is to give herself the inner strength

To be who she is, who she wants to be.

See her step outside again

Keeping up with her poised display

With a smile across her beautiful face

She braves the world day after day.

                                              ~Aastha Aggarwal

                                                                                                                                            Kozhikode, India