How To Train Your Martyr

-Written by Dr. Shivangi Shankar

Strength is in bearing tiny acts of violence

In smiling, swallowing suffering in silence

There is no strength in ending the fight

None in protecting one’s own right.

And since I suffered exemplarily

I have earned this right verily-

Your suffering too I shall dictate

Until, to you, it percolates.

So, if you sigh or wince in pain

Or very simply do complain

of a situation, to you, unsuited

or protocol, deeply rooted

in inequalities, oppression and such,

I’d like to remind you, yes, very much

this is a rite of passage for all

So you can swallow your appal.

Look how strong you turned out to be,

buried it all deeper than deep.

No pause to think, only do

Until others can do for you.

Strength is in tiny acts of violence

In smiling, making suffer in silence

There is no strength in ending the fight

None in protecting another’s right.