She still remembers that day

A seven year old child

Reduced to tears for a remark,

A remark on her skin

For being too dark and dull

What did it matter

That she was a mere child?

What did it matter

That she was insecure already?

That wasn’t a concern

What mattered was her marriage

For who would marry her?

Darkness is unappealing, they said

Whiten your skin,

You already have attractive features,

She was told.. She was given a pink tube at 12

Marked Fair & Lovely

Her refusal to use it daunted them

For loving yourself

Was what her parents had taught her.

Never losing hope,

Derermined when adversity knocked.

Even four years later,

When she still remains a talking piece

For her insolence

How dare she refuse a relative?

But she remains stubborn

She proudly stands up and utters

Words dreaded by her family

I am Unfair and Lovely

About The Poet