Pray to the Goddess

I light the earthen lamp

Inhale the deep aroma

Of the sticks of incense

Fold my hands in prayer

Before the idol of the Goddess

And with a fervor intense

I pray to all the Goddesses

I know, they do not ride lions

But they have extra hands invisible

That work and serve tirelessly

Unlike Durga’s trident, their strength

Lies inside them, with an invincible

Spirit in the face of adversity

Many demons they slay

Of Suppression, Domestic Violence

Objectification, Toxic Patriarchy

The Goddess lives inside them

I, with all my reverence

Anoint the idol before me

And pray to the real Goddesses I see