Old Rusted Mindsets
-Dr. Srivalli Chilakamarri
It was a bright and breezy day,
The sea called out to come and play.
A family decided to meet the tide
The sun, the waves, the open sky.
The father dressed, the brother too,
In shorts and shirts, just like the men do.
No one stared, no one cared,
They wore what felt right
But she stood quiet, holding tight
A pair of shorts that felt so right,
to feel the same breeze and the sand
But fear tied her feet and hand.
She saw the looks they’d never say,
The silent rules that block her way.
So they went back in the drawer,
And a gown dragged the shore.
It soaked in waves, it clung with weight,
But kept her safe from eyes of resent.
Her father smiled and softly said,
“That’s decent,” nodding his head.
Not a word to himself or her brother
Because for men, there are no “right” clothes
Their comfort is their right
Their gaze decides women’s comfort
One word revealed what lies beneath
Old mindsets wrapped in flowers and wreaths.
She wasn’t wrong, she wasn’t bad,
Just born a girl and that was sad.
A skin of the same species,
But never treated quite the same.
The world still pokes, still draws its line,
And cuts her comfort to fit its design.
The sky was big, the wind was free
But not for her. Not equally.
Because, beneath the wisdom they profess,
Old rusted thoughts still hold their mess.
*****
Dr. Srivalli Chilakamarri an ENT surgeon with a deep interest in head and neck oncosurgery, driven by a passion for healing and precision. Beyond the operating room, I find solace in writing—capturing thoughts, emotions, and reflections that often go unsaid. Balancing science with soul, I believe growth lies at the intersection of skill and introspection.