I am a man

I am a man

-Ismat Ahmed Shaikh

I am measured-measured all the time,

Sometimes for good grades,

Earnings sometimes.

I won't get a girl 

If I don't have a house, 

And a car, and bank balance...

See, I have to earn the spouse

Yes I get sexual urge,

Neither I am a rapist nor pervert.

I have suppressed, suppressed it all

Do I express my desire?

No, I don't have the balls!

I have a privilege- penis?

No it is 'society' that does.

An earning daughter-

"Man" of the house, she is stated, 

A son earning,

Does nothing but only expected!

Happiness is something-

I am allowed to spread,

Be a man, not cry!

If at all, I am sad?

Chivalrous I have to be,

Misogynist I cannot be.

Many a times,

I would love to cry,

If I can.

But instead, I have to be happy, 

and smile,

Because I am a man!