Dear Maa,

what does it mean to be a woman?

to me, being a woman is to be divine,

to be the greatest embodiment of God's prolific powers.

to be a woman is to be it all, and more.

to be a woman is to be you, maa. 

 

most of what i’ve learned of the world

i’ve known from you, maa.

i’ve learned that knowledge is the greatest form of power one can acquire,

that to know is to be.

i’ve learned that freedom comes with boundaries, too,

that to be free is to be limited.

i’ve learned that faith should be bigger than fear,

that hope keeps us moving. 

 

i look at you everyday and,

everyday i find myself awestruck.

i look at you, maa.

i look at the courage in your beauty.

i look at the strength in your warmth.

 

i look at the force in your generosity.

i look at the zeal in your care. 

and i find myself everywhere.

 

you walk me through darkness,

while talking of light.

you push me down heights,

while talking of flight.

how do you do it, maa?

where did you learn?

how many courses did you take,

on how to be a mom. 

 

to be a woman is to be it all, and more.

to be a woman is to be you, maa.

 

Sadikshya Khadka

A-Level Graduate

Rato Bangala School