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
