By Nadia Khan (feminist and Research Scholar JNU)
When I kiss you I kiss your naked self within the broad manhood that you conceal
Knowing how weak and vulnerable you are behind the curtain of pledges you make to protect me; while it’s me that nurtures you, brings you to life
Only I know your moments of weakness when you stand only because I stand with you
When you conceal the cracks in your courage with my feeble laughter
When you secretly feed on my optimism and water your dreams with my faith in you
When you quietly charge your happiness with the light in my eyes
When you sit by my side swollen in manful pride you take in owning me
And I sit there pretending to be owned while I caress your valiant armour with my feminism and drain every drop of my being to affirm yours
Yet you are my protector and my guardian and I take you so