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.
Bol attack on old. Present day girls are in tranitions- era changing from male domination to female assertion. In this period, fathers too are confused. The more girls become expressive, the quicker will be the change. My best wishes to women and whole hearted appreciation to the young poet. Lookforward to many more reformative writings.
Very well written. I really appreciate the choice of the topic you chose. It touches everyone’s heart. old rusted mindsets represent every girl’s feelings. Wishing many more that brings change in the society.
True feelings of a girl is beautiful depicted.excellent srivalli
Very well written.This reveals the true feelings of every girl. Really feel sorry, to note that even if you are a dearest daughter to a father, son has a freedom to go anywhere, any time but not the same to you.
Even now the feelings of difference and the restrictions put on girls, due to the rusted old mindsets .
Change should come in the mindsets of a boy or man, to respect a girl or woman irrespective of her dress .
Nicely written. The sky is silent, the sea is silent, the earth is silent and the nature too. Flying with the wings of thoughts is the trend. The old rusted thoughts will remain silent.