Ego Work

When I say a big ego
I mean a male ego
I mean my ego
is a male
and a big one at that

He knocks us down
with doubt and sarcasm
pros and cons and taunts
an image to maintain
special pains to claim

He shuts us up
This jiggly body
that loves to walk
This wobbly heart
that sings a lot
This yellow spirit
that runs amok

We are stopped
at the gates of paper
crushed under
his thinking thumb
no music no fun
He needs a break
that he’ll never take
My ego is a big balloon
sinking forever

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Raju Tai

Raju Tai is a writer, writing facilitator, curriculum designer, and creativity coach. She is passionate about creating and facilitating workshop experiences in which women and teens tap into the transformative power of their creativity. Her poems have appeared in Muse India, Hakara, The Alipore Post, and Gulmohur Quarterly. Her essays are published in collections like Yaari: A South Asian Anthology on Friendship, Age of Anxiety, and websites like Scroll, Firstpost, and Buzzfeed. In writing, she finds healing, courage, and playfulness.
(forthcoming), and Age of Anxiety.