I Will Let Her Play! Poem by Namratha Swamy

Like every plump teenager whenever
I stand in front of the reflective surface
I see her staring back at me and I try to look past her,
past the superficial imperfections,
that always catches everyone's eyes.
Pushing aside the recurring voice that says
'I wouldn't want you either if I was a guy, '
I silently fight my inner tears
for I wish what is reflected is not the flesh
but the true beauty I know that lies within.
For a change today, the voice within appeared
in front of me with its dazzling smile to say
'Not to worry my child
we are nothing but dust blown through time with cosmic wind
and in a blink of an eye it could all come to an end
and what will be remembered would be only the beauty of your soul.'
At last, I am in peace with my flesh
for the guy who who would not want me will never get to know
what song my heart and soul can sing
and the child within is far higher than the captures of beauty,
resting wild, yet expressed in a dozen ways.
I will keep her wrapped closely in her smiling ways
I will keep her hidden in those valleys of memories
I will fill her eyes with love's sunshine
and till the day I find the one who recognises her
I will let her play!