The Blissful Storyteller

I Choose to be Flawed

Every time I write about myself, a part of me is liberated.

– Swarnali Nath

(This is a lot about women who dare to wear imperfections as their most precious attire. This is a tribute to all those women who believe in their womanhood, who believe they are special and beautiful and powerful with their flaws. Who face humiliation on a daily basis for they are flawed, but they don’t pay their ears to the society that always points fingers at them. Instead, they sing, they dance, they eat, they drink, they cry, they smile, they fall, they rise, living in their own world of sisterhood, for they know their tribe has their back.)

I celebrate myself every day.

Every time I face rejection in the marriage proposal

for wearing this brown skin with me,

I celebrate my womanhood.

Every time I face gender discrimination

at my workplace, in the kitchen, or my house,

I celebrate my womanhood.

Every time they point their fingers at me

for being fat, black, short,

and not being eligible for marriage

even when I cross the threshold

of the perfect age for getting married,

I celebrate my womanhood.

Every time they ask for a dowry from my father

and I stand up against it,

I celebrate my womanhood.

Every time I hear harsh words

for not being able to give birth to another life,

and every time I leave my partner for the betrayal,

I celebrate my womanhood.

Every time, I feel claustrophobic in this society

that is always busy in judging me

for everything I do, I say, and I be,

I celebrate my womanhood.

Every time, I forget to cover my chest

with a dupatta

and people speak to me harsh

for not being a well-mannered girl in front of the world,

I celebrate my womanhood.

Every time, I wear the dress I love,

I adorn myself with black kohl and red lipstick,

and cover my face with a piece of cloth,

within me,

inside that covered cloth and choked breaths,

I celebrate my womanhood.

Every time I speak the truth in front of the abusers,

and slap them, and cut them with my rogue tongue,

I celebrate my womanhood.

Every time, they blame me for my desire for education,

my dreams, my hope, my ambition,

and bury them one by one,

on that lonely night when no one can see me

crying, breaking, shattering,

I, still, celebrate my womanhood.

Every time I am called an unsuccessful daughter,

a reluctant lover,

an unworthy sister,

and a good-for-nothing woman

shamelessly carrying this homebody on the earth,

I celebrate my womanhood.

They tell me that I am too fat to get a handsome groom,

I am too short to find someone tall

Who will protect me from dhoop,

I am too sensitive to adjust to their wild desires,

I am too emotional to fall into tears whenever I cut my fingers,

“Big girls don’t cry”,

They tell me, always.

They tell me that I am too outspoken

to satisfy my elders’ points of view,

I am too conservative to go on a date with my male friends.

I am too ancient to learn the theories and practical

of being a modern wife,

I am too modern to practice their superstitious beliefs.

They tell me that my art

of worship from the heart

but not with hands is

something that is strongly against their reputation,

And this is why, I

should be punished.

They tell me that I am not worthy of anything,

That I am too old for getting married,

for holding a child in my womb,

Because my womb is not that young

to give birth to a healthy child

anymore.

They tell me that I am not able to see

a new dream

for they have clipped my wings

and I can’t fly.

I am not that beautiful to get someone whom I want,

I can’t cook a meal that’s perfect to serve on their plates,

I can’t feed my family,

I can’t even breastfeed my child,

I can’t fulfill someone’s lustful wishes for the dreadful nights,

I am not that beautiful to find a lover,

and marry him, and settle on time.

But I find my inspiration to be a woman like me

from me, and only me,

to my utter surprise.

I might be right,

I might be wrong,

But I don’t want to be perfect,

For I choose to be flawed.

I am proud of my body,

I am proud of my beauty,

My voice matters to me

My opinions hold my name,

I want to be remembered for what I have disobeyed

Not a girl who agreed with her elders, always.

I embrace my brokenness as the sister of my wholeness,

For they define me fiercely.

And this is how I celebrate my womanhood,

For my womanhood is a blessing to me.

This blog post is part of the Women’s Day Blog Hop, themed on She: A Tribute to Her, hosted by me.

We are 40 bloggers joining hands to celebrate International Women’s Day together.

Read all Women’s Day Blog Hop 2023 entries and add your post to the linky party here.

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60 responses to “I Choose to be Flawed”

  4. I love how you’ve listed things that are in fact no flaws at all, it is only so in the eyes of the society. If these are to be called flaws, then indeed we choose to be flawed. Loved the concept and how you’ve presented it, Swarnali!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. What powerful and impactful words you have penned; Swarnali, kudos, girl. Nothing could happen better than this, to pay a perfect tribute to all the She’s out there on this Women’s Day!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. What a powerful evocative piece of writing Swarnali,
    I loved these words,
    For I choose to be flawed.

    I am proud of my body,

    I am proud of my beauty,

    My voice matters to me

    p.s. I would suggest you make a video out of this, it is too amazing!

    Like

    Reply

    • Yes Harshita I tried to recite yhe poem and record it, but my recitation lacked emotions that’s why I deleted the audio. I will give it a second try. Thank you so much for loving my piece. Means a lot 🤗😊

      Like

      Reply

  10. I want to be remembered for what I have disobeyed!

    What a powerful line and it sums up the essence of the poem for me! Talking about the poem, it is indeed a very strong piece that reflects the core of womanhood and speaks for every woman out there! Loved it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Swarnali …. you are an inspiration.

    “Whatever you are physically…male or female, strong or weak, ill or healthy–all those things matter less than what your heart contains. If you have the soul of a warrior, you are a warrior. All those other things, they are the glass that contains the lamp, but you are the light inside.”
    ― Cassandra Clare

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. The poem gives words to the thoughts and emotions of millions of women. Hope you touch the heart n soul of as many , and become the voice of those who aren’t as articulate as you. Wish you a happy woman’s day.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. This is irony of our society where we woman face different discrimination, challenges and struggles at different age and different stage. I loved the way you have share these things with much power and positive emotions. hope these things change in future and we women have a better system which give us proper respect and recognition. kudos to you for organizing this blog hop with such a great success and make the women s day celebration more meaningful

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. This is so wonderfully raw and heartfelt. You feel the rage fighting against a system that has always worked to force women to conform and remain subjugated or feel bad about themselves.

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. Wonderfully expressed, Swarnali.
    Totally agree. This is the unfortunate reality for many.
    Demeaning judgment and taunts cannot dim our light as we’ll continue to celebrate & shine bright!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. Swarnali, your pieces, poetry or articles are always straight from the heart. Laying it all bare. Loved this tribute. Choosing to be flawed. Taking pride in what the world considers “broken”. Every woman in some way can relate to the poem.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  23. I loved the title, the candid poetic confessions, ruminations, contemplations, beliefs and determinations. This poem is bold and powerful and bolsters you to move ahead with your imperfections. Never hide them rather shine in your own unique light which the world calls “flaws”. Great inspirational work Swarna!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  24. Searnali I felt you have put so much of honesty in weaving this post. I felt you are all that you want to be and if you are satisfied and happy I am more than happy for you dear friend. I salute your strength and thank you for organizing the bloghop.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  26. Every line of your poetry reflects the strength a women derives everytime she is pointed out to be flawed. There is nothing perfect in this world and our imperfections are our individuality, our identity. Loved the way you have woven every emotion in beautiful words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  27. I would any day choose to be flawed if that gives me the license to be comfortable in my own skin and live life on my own terms. Why do women have to fit anyone else’s idea of beauty or perfection anyway? Our differences make us beautiful!

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  28. Such powerful words and a beautiful poem. Womanhood is a blessing and should be celebrated everyday. Nobody is perfect in this world. We just need to love ourselves first, and everything else falls in line.

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  32. wear imperfections as their most precious attire – this line reminded me as a school and college going girl I was always relatively fat than others of my age and I was detected with PCOS and I put on a lot of weight suddenly. I got concious, under confident, and introvert but then my literature teacher talked to me, told how beautiful person is and how I should focus on channeling my positives and from that day I started dancing on reels, going out, meeting new people! This blog feels like a warm hug and I am really thankful that you added me for this women’s day special blog hop! Lots of love to you!!

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  33. Oh My God Swarnali! What a wonderful writing where you have bared your soul and as a reader, I can connect with each line you have written. This is such a compelling, powerful and sharp poem that encompasses what each person who is a woman undergoes in her life. But yet, she stands tall, powerful! Salute to you and everyone of us who don’t allow others to dictate their life! Kudos to this attitude and living life at our own terms.

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