Chivalry

 This guy I know asked me why I write about strong women.
He said women are supposed to be gentle and timid and 'obedient?'
It irks me to know that there still exist people who think this way.

But well, here I am again, writing about strong women.
Women who ride bikes and work their bodies 

'cause that is what they love to do.
Women who love other women 

'cause that is who they are and they embrace it.

So don't go around asking me if I need help 

with the bag I'm carrying cause it's too heavy for me.
It's not chivalry anymore, it's just straight-up misogyny.
I'll ask for help if I need it.
And if the help I ask is of a woman who is as strong as me, 
Don't let it hurt your ego.

Personal space and pride are not just the property of a man.
So I told him, this young man about what I felt.
I told him "well, men are just as fragile."
And oh! the look on his face!

Next time you tell a woman that girls are supposed to be fragile, 
Maybe think about what you would feel like when a woman tells you
"It's okay darling, I'm not you."

_________________

Oajaswini S