Special: Women's Day Poetry

Neelam Saxena Chandra

Guest editorial: Neelam Saxena Chandra

“I am a woman.

The way you perceive me,

A reflection you shall see.

If you love and admire me,

I shall be a gentle breeze.

If you downcast me,

I shall rise like a phoenix!”

The nature of a woman is akin to a breeze—calm, tender, and nurturing. Her presence is a blessing to those around her.

However, just as air shifts with its surroundings, a woman, too, transforms. She may be a soothing wind, but she can also summon storms.

She does not wish to be a tempest—love is her essence. She longs to give and receive love. Yet, not all understand her sensibilities. Many try to dominate her in different ways, forcing her to rise and redefine herself.

Much is said about the changing status of women. But if true equality had been achieved, would we still need to celebrate Women’s Day? The struggle remains. “Equal work, equal pay” is still an unfulfilled promise. At home and in the workplace, she continues to prove her worth. The silent voids she endures remain unnoticed by those around her.

Discrimination persists in society. A woman’s choice is often disregarded. Many are still married against their will, subjected to dowry demands, or blamed for not bearing a male child. Even her finances are often not considered her own.

Women also face grave injustices—groping, molestation, and rape.

Ideally, we shouldn’t need a Women’s Day. But we celebrate it to remind society that she is a force in her own right. She exists, and she matters.

The poetry of eminent women writers captures the struggles she endures and the resilience with which she rises.

Each woman is a solitaire—

Precious, radiant, and soulful.

She has risen from the ashes,

Building her home of warmth,

Brick by brick.

Treasure her, admire her, cherish her—

And you shall witness magic!

Honor the women around you, and the world will transform.

Neelam Saxena Chandra

Neelam Saxena Chandra is the author of 78 books and holds three records in the Limca Book of Records. She has been honored with the Sohanlal Dwivedi Puraskar for children's literature by the Maharashtra State Hindi Sahitya Akademi, the Premchand Award by the Ministry of Railways, the Rabindranath Tagore International Poetry Award, the Freedom Award by Radio City for lyrics, the Reuel Lifetime Achievement Award, the Setu Award for Excellence 2024 among many other accolades. In 2014, Forbes India recognized her as one of the 78 most popular authors in the country.

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Setu, March 2025