Your great-grandpa's grandma
Was made to walk bare-chested
Against the levy of a breast tax.
Her son had to walk tying a broom
To his waist to erase the shadow
He cast in the elite streets.
The great-grandma could at least
Offer prayers to the village goddess
By standing afar.
Your grandfather was given access
To the village pond and your mother
Could file a nomination in an election.
In the long line of untouchability and
Trauma of your caste, your achievement
Was a little high level of blood sugar.
And when your community celebrated
It for an increased standard of living.
This lifestyle disease became a
Political statement. As the generational
Hard labour and abuse, took a sigh of
Relief in your diabetes.