Education Helped Her Escape

She burned the midnight oil,

studied quantum physics.

Her village folks have no idea

what that is, but they had heard

that's not easy, quite hard.

Only very brilliant, can do it.

And there was a scholarship,

so her family, let her pursue,

she did not have to argue.

She got degree after degree,

visited her people as guest,

but never came back!

No, she doesn't care

for the cerebral research papers

position, and money were not her lure.

She wanted to escape patriarchy,

that thought women were weak,

voiceless, obedient and meek

must be put under veils,

definitely should bear sons,

and ignore husband’s sins.

She felt relieved, to escape the toxicity,

proud of herself, not guilty,

for her exit solution,

from the culture so steeped in poison.

Education served as portal

for her to live true to self.

She is very sure,

her oppressed late mother

from the heaven, is smiling,

that her daughter is free and flying.

Note: This poem is loosely based on my own experience. I get to live a life of solitude, since I chose strong education as an escape path from a misogynistic patriarchy. Being a big shot in any field is not my goal. I just want to be serve, while living happy, balanced and meaningful life.