India, Feb. 20 -- I have two hundred and six bones, Like any human being; Some are born with more. Three hundred at the beginning. Then fusion, growth, becoming, Numbers change, Caste doesn't.

When I was born, I did not have a caste bone. While growing, I did not grow one.

Bones fused, Counts reduced, But not a single bone learned hierarchy.

Eighty bones in my skull, neck, and torso. One hundred twenty-six in my arms, legs, and girdles. Axial or appendicular, None divided by Untouchability.

My smallest bone, the stapes, Deep in the middle ear, Works without rest.

It bears the largest bombardment Of Caste, Of Untouchability, Of Dalit genocide.

My bone listens, Caste learns my skin by force. The body remembers.

Inside my ear, History...