Not Just Wings, But Roots Too

They say,

“Get a job, be free — fly high in the sky.”

As if flight alone defines a woman’s why.

But we know better, don’t we, my love?

For freedom isn't just soaring above...

It’s walking steady on ground we earned,

Through nights we cried and dreams we burned.

It’s saying —

"I matter too."

Not louder than others,

But loud enough for us to hear it through.

We are daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers,

Taught to bend, to bear, to bother.

To cook and clean and smile and stay,

Even when our hearts are led astray.

We sacrifice,

Like it's stitched into our name.

Selflessness is beautiful

But why does it always feel the same?

We give and give until there's none left,

And still feel guilty for the smallest rest.

But darling,

Independence isn't rebellion or rage

It's giving yourself a rightful page.

To earn, to create, to spend on your joy,

To buy yourself books, not just a toy.

To build a life where your laughter is paid,

And not just found in the tea you made.

Financial freedom isn't greed or pride

It’s the warmth of having your worth beside.

It’s knowing,

You can walk away,

Not because you must,

But because you may.

It’s buying your favorite saree,

Not waiting for someone to say it looks pretty.

It’s choosing silence when chaos speaks,

And learning to rest without feeling weak.

It's not about skyscrapers or stars in sight,

But choosing yourself without a fight.

It’s spending your money on that late-night chai,

Because today, you survived. And that’s reason why.

So let them talk of wings and skies

We’ll take those too, with open eyes.

But don’t forget, we’re more than just flight,

We’re roots that bloom in darkest night.

We don’t just want to fly

we want to stand.

With our own voice, with our own hand.

To be free,

Not from love,

But from permission.

To rewrite every forgotten mission.

We don’t need saving, we don’t need praise

Just the space to live our own ways.

To wake, to work, to dream, to spend

To be our own beginning and our own end.