Thou Art An Inspiration

This is a poem dedicated to Meena Kandasamy, a renown author, poet, intersectional feminist and anti-caste activist. Here is the content:

Thou are an inspiration

For many a generation

Right out of the top drawer, is your writing

Very passionate and powerful, is your reciting

Thou art an inspiration

To you, do I look for motivation

Never do you mince words

Never do people get bored

When they read your books

Because your characters run amok

Like a wild elephant

And your poems are simply brilliant!

Thou art an inspiration

We all stand rapt with attention

Whenever you take the stage

You are like wine that gets better with age

Your English is classy

Your Tamil is sassy

I love the way you speak your mind

To your community, are you extremely kind!!

Thou art an inspiration

I can imagine your face shining with perspiration

As you work on your latest project

In fact, you can even act!

For you, impossible is nothing

And connecting with your readers is everything

Thou art an inspiration

With you, we all can feel a strong connection

Moreover, you are very brave

Thanks to you, we can believe

That the Brahminical patriarchy can indeed be smashed

And we refuse to be shushed

No matter what the consequences may be

For you, it is always “we”

Never “me” or “you” or “he” or “she”

Thou art an inspiration

When it cometh to your words, there ain’t no caution

You are bold and brutal

And your activism is extremely vital

Especially in these dark times

You are one of those dames

Who fight fire with fire

May God save those who happen to meet your ire!!

The best thing about you, though

Is the fact that you never give up

Never do your shoulders droop

Even in the face of constant criticism and ridicule

Always, do you remain mentally agile

Again, thou art an inspiration

For an entire nation

May the Lord bless you, you incredible human being

Jai Bhim!!