O girl! Of everyone’s dreams,
Do you know, they said – I should be your likeness,
Have that perfect smile of your highness,
Or that posture like eucalyptus trees.
Should have been born with those eyes doe-like,
Or that color bargained from a fluffy cloud,
And be like your beauty, ever wrapped, in youthful shroud…
Alas! Alas!you are not the one I want to be like.
I am happy for not being your image,
For not being the enchanting replica,
Or being one of many exotica,
I am instead proud of a different even if a simple visage.
I would rather have eyes capturing every nuance of feeling,
A smile always childlike, never perfect
Even a posture known for its bouncing joy, not for being erect
Oh god! I am just glad, to be a simple being.
—
Poetry lover? Check out Gitanjali: A Collection of Indian Poems by the Nobel Laureate
Very lovely Arunima! This reminds me of you – an image I have from 9th std (that’s the last time I saw you in person!)
Thanks Ritu. This poem is not by me. 🙂 But i agree it is really well written and so true in today’s context where d definition of beauty is becoming increasingly superficial
Beautifully written Shailaja! And i feel it would apply to men and women alike, though the society expects a lot more from women.
thanks guys… just an expression of how stereotypes in this society need to be challenged.
thanks guys… this poem is a way to highlight society’s outdated sterotypes.
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