I see my sister drifting peacefully in the water
It's strange because she was never a swimmer
I remember those hot summer days
I remember the cool water's embrace
My sister wanted to learn how to swim in that water
Dad would hold her steady, try to teach her
Oh boy, did she ever kick and scream with joy
She would bring a crowd with her voice
This one time she broke free from my father's grasp
She kicked and screamed as the pool filled her lungs
Within seconds we could not hear her voice
As she became one with that cool water
Heroic dad, dove and pulled her up
She coughed up a lung but her exuberance returned
I imagine she kicked and scream just the same
On that summer night when five guys surrounded her
I imagine she reached out for my father's hand
Begging for him to dive for her one more time
She must have drown for hours in that alley
Before someone found her unconscious body
She was so peaceful when I saw her
In the embrace of something I did not understand
Sedated by the diluted morphine in her IV drips
But her body, her body carried the story
Bruises of the transient
Battering of the errant
Fracturing of the fickle
I could not see her like this
Give me justice I screamed where my sister could not
Give my sister justice I screamed at the officer
He looked to the left through the tinted car
"we will catch who did this, go be with your sister"
My sister would not speak
Something unknown filled her lungs
Three days after she stood atop a bridge on Yamuna River
I wanted to scream "please don't leave me"
I wanted to tell her how much she means to me
I wanted to show her that she is still loved
I wanted to hold her in that bear hug
I wanted to give her my her voice
I wanted to kick and scream for her
But how can I ask her to live when she cannot breath
How can I ask her to live if I cannot hear her
How can I ask her to live if I cannot understand her
Yes she took that step forward
Yes she drifts down the river
But NO! She did not take her life
I stood in grief as the politician said through their tinted glasses
"We will protect our daughters and mothers and sisters"
"Elect me"
I stood in grief as the news stations said through the tinted monitor
"We will keep you updated with the latest news"
"Watch us"
I stood in grief as the priest said holding the tinted rosary
"May her soul find salvation, may she rest in gods arms"
"Pray with me"
I stood in grief as the friends said in their tinted words
"She is in a better place now, it is very unfortunate"
"Come be with us"
And I stood in grief as they all drifted apart
I understand now that women are born falling in this country
I understand now that we do little to stop them from sinking
So what will you say as I stand here grieving
What will you do to stop your sister from drowning