Eighth March

How am I supposed to fit this into a day?

This, that I feel for her. 

Her badassery and wit

Roaring strength and grit.

She'd hear me out on phone for hours, night after night,

this once I got hung up bad on a cute guy in a band. Puppy love. 

Oscillating between laughing at me and hardcore consoling. 

Masterful balancing act that. 

She has held my hair back in crowded restrooms in pubs, 

the times I had caught feelings or got sick on too much beer or both. 

A soul sister in a stranger's guise.

Back home she's kept my secrets safe and left the keys under the mat.

At school, in art class, in the hallways at work;
her smile, her encouraging nod, her understanding gaze keep me going.

Backing my ideas up in meetings, giving credit where due. 
Ever leaning in. 

Lazy weekend binges, 
cheese pizza with episodes of cheesier TV shows. 

Fits of laughing mad, dancing crazy. 

She has been from another country, not speaking the same language. 
But still got me. 
How could you get someone you can't understand? 
Another time, she was a breezy afternoon 
with magnificent wrinkled skin that glistened in the January sun.
I lay in the soothing cool shadow of her lap,
listening to adventures of a life well lived,
eating oranges she had lightly sprinkled with salt. 

An awareness which overflows from the walls 
of my heart deep into my soul. 

Everglowing awe that leaves me filled with wonder. 

How could a person do so much, with this finesse?

Cutlery. Power points. Wine Glass. Excel sheets. Black dress.
Contouring. App updates. Writing code. Baby mamma. 
Singing. Super funny tweets. Caregiver. 
Perfectly cooked Pasta.

Being weird and silly. 

Being okay with flaws. 

Being proper. Being fully happy. 
Also fully sad when sad.

Immaculate. clockwork.

All in a day's work.

It's a joke that I'll fit all this into a day.

She feels like hope and youth, age no bar. 
Think dreams and unicorns decided to make a perfume together. 

Her eyes wise,
a two part bestseller, heavy with stories.

Classics biopic, whirlwind romance and magic surrealism all rolled into one. 
Genreless. Limitless. 

Beautiful. And sexy. 
Because, you know, it's not one or the other.

Set in her ways but not overbearing.

A hot mess of her own inner conflicts and confusion and quirks. 

Won't shy away from 'I don't know' or 'I got this' and everything in between. 

Tell me this, could you possibly fit this into a day? 

Grand gestures. Little thoughtful details. 
Aesthetic recommendations. 

Generous and genuine appreciation. 
Unconditional support.

Annoying constant care and concern. 

And advice. Oh so much good advice! 

Even when I take it for granted. 

Specially when I take it for granted. 

'You're not taking enough calcium'

'I think I have a lipstick that goes with your top, wait.'

'Don't be bullied into not feeling your feelings'

Nuanced and nimble.

Cheerleader, critic, comic relief,

sister, friend, aunt, co-worker, naani, daadi, 
maths teacher, flatmate, mom, basketball bud, 
bff, acquaintance, friend of friend. 

You've given me your time and care. 

Given me my life and your attention span.

You've bestowed me with tough love

when I needed it. 

You inspire me everyday. 

It's a celebration, yes.
But I can't fit this into a day. 
It's like trying to celebrate life day once a year.

Every day is Life Day
Every day is Woman Day