I’m Me

Tall, fat, dark

Bespectacled,

that's how I grew up

Don't wear stripes,

Bright colors, they said.

No jeans, no sleeveless tops, no skirts.

Don't wear organza, stiff cotton, heavy silks

Wear sarees that cling to your body

Always drape a dupatta that hides your fat.

A big no to bold designs

Don’t draw attention

to your fat, unbeautiful self.

Bright colored lipsticks?

Wear muted mauves.

Better yet, don't wear any.

I didn't heed.

I wore bold, I wore bright .

I wore jeans in their faces.

I flaunted my thick thighs, and flabby arms.

I draped heavy sarees,

my big butt didn't care.

I was a difficult girl

I am a difficult woman

Deal with it. I’m me.