You kissed me on the lips when I was three I didn't know better, I thought you loved me. You forced me on your lap when I was ten. I squirmed, trying to fight you, but you held me tight I felt uncomfortable, but I didn't say a word. When I was thirteen You serially raped me in my home And I stayed silent, because you threatened To kill my mother if I told on you. When I was twenty, You rubbed yourself against me in a crowded bus I tried to move away, but you moved too. When I protested, you silenced me with threats And no one else took up for me. At all ages, you passed lewd remarks in the street But I ignored you. You made sexual comments at work I pretented not to hear. You beat and abused me in our home, But I remained silent Because my parents told me to make things work And perhaps it was my fault. You groped me in public. Using your authority to silence me. I attempted to fight you But you found a way to kill my spirit. You raped me in a bus and left me for dead And days later I died. You raped me in the hospital where I worked And then killed me. Today, is supposed to be Independence Day But freedom is not mine. I'm an Indian woman. You are an Indian man. You are free, I am not.