‘I asked for it. I did.’

SHARANYA MANIVANNAN, WRITER & POET, CHENNAI, 31

Iam a nasty woman because I asked for it. I did. I opened my mouth and said: “What you have told me I can have will not suffice.” When I’d had enough of being told that I was too much, I stopped being afraid to ask for more.

I am a nasty woman because I wanted it. I did. I wanted to take fire by the hand, while they stood there threatening me with smoke, not knowing what

I had kept warm in my belly through the persecution of centuries.

I am a nasty woman because I did it. I did.

You thought that I couldn’t, but you must have known I would.

I am a nasty woman because I said Yes. I am a nasty woman because I said Never.

I am a nasty woman because maybe (because maybe) loud laughter and quiet resilience, heart-for-a-compass and “never-mind-my-beautiful-behind, have-you-takena-look-at-my-beautiful-mind?” are nasty—and maybe that’s just the kind of woman that I want to be.