The doubting syndrome

She mulls over a multitude of dresses,
While she curls up her auburn tresses.
Into a heap of satin she'll wriggle,
Tossing the attires with a nervous giggle.


Every gown whether satin or lace,
Does not seem to bring out her face.
With brash impertinence the gown would divulge,
Her every flaccid protruding bulge.


The corset with all it's tightening,
Wasn't portraying her as placid and mellow,
Her teeth despite the whitening,
Seemed stained and yellow.


But the woman failed to realize,
That her beauty dwells in her eyes,
It escaped her mind ,
that she was one of a kind.


While women eyed her with envy,
Men awed her comely grace,
Her mind was clogged with a daunting frenzy,
That settled upon her pretty face.


Not once did she look up and observe,
The glances aimed at her with animated verve,
She was down with the spreading bout
Of venomous self doubt.


An untoward imbecile,
With no particular talent or skill,
Showered her with a word of praise,
Causing the heart to notch up its pace.


She longed for his fervent gaze,
A gratifying praise,
She needed him to validate her worth,
Only then would she be filled with mirth.


She had herself to blame,
This pigeon headed dame,
Who was so blind to see,
That she was as beautiful as beauty can be.


To all the lovely women I know,
Keep in mind that men come and go.
Let not their vileness blind you from seeing,
How gifted you are you terrific human being.

Comments

  1. UrmikaNovember 17, 2013 at 12:05 AM

    i loved it...wonderful work Neha...!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Atul KaushalAugust 20, 2014 at 5:15 AM

    Self-doubt is a reality for everyone.
    Some overcome it completely.
    Others keep doubting themselves.
    But yes, there exist people like me who are overconfident. ;-)
    Nice poem Neha, just like your name.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A strange experience in a Mumbai local

I boarded the 10.25 pm Borivali slow train. In hindsight, it was a mistake to have got into an empty compartment. Anyway I wanted to lounge leisurely on the cushioned first class bench and watch an episode of modern family on my laptop. So I threw caution to the wind and got into the compartment. The train was an old model, with little to no ventilation. I threw open the train doors and took a seat. I scanned the compartment for rats, nothing prowled below the seats. I was completely alone. The train crawled towards Borivali. Till Andheri, thereabouts there were people on the station platform. After Andheri, the platforms were deserted. A few people slept below the bridge, but by and large, the stations were empty. I kept my laptop away and extracted my cell phone. I browsed through news feed. The first write up was about the elections, followed by Aalia Bhat's nutrition chart, then details of a recent rape case. I shut the chrome browser and called up my boyfriend. I told him I...
Read more

Journey to the center of the mind

Image
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” asked the elderly gentleman as he surveyed me from behind a pile of books. I looked up and into his dull grey eyes. William James had died at the age of 68. He looked much older though and very tired. I had called upon him at an unearthly or rather deathly hour for some assistance and after a bit of resistance and plenty of hesitation, he had agreed to help. “I have to do this. It's the only way”, I said. He shut the book before him with a thud that sent dust into the air. He coughed slowly and strenuously while I waited for him to say something. “It’s not the only way. But it is a way! The toughest, if I may add.” He drew out a piece of paper from his coat, scribbled across it and handed it to me. “People have journeyed to continents afar" “Also to the moon and Mars”, I added. “So I’ve heard,” he said with a look of disbelief, “but very few embark upon a journey to the center of their mind.” “You did”, I said. "“I tried!”...
Read more

I’d like to speak to the manager

“The next applicant is a 27 year old woman”, said Gabe.  “Death by COVID19?”, Asked God without looking up. “Actually, this one isn’t dead.” God jumped up with a start. “What do you mean this one isn’t dead ?” “I mean she’s alive”, said Gabe looking away from God and into the distance.  “Got you the first time Gabe. What is a live human doing here?” “She, umm, requisitioned a motion Sir.” “What motion?” “‘The can I speak to the manager?’ Motion.” “I thought we repealed that.” Said God tossing aside a parchment into the fireplace.  “We tabled it. We raised it. We harped over it. We blessed it. But we didn’t quite pass it.” “Why not?” Asked God “Motion sickness” said Gabe nervously. God wasn’t sure if Gabe was joking but from the look on his face, God was forced to accept that he wasn’t.  “Very well, send her in.” Gabe nodded and went out. A few minutes later, there was a faint knock.  God straightened his robe and smoothened his beard. He cleared his throa...
Read more