Self-Love

Poem by Harshini K S, Grade XI, CMR National Public School

“Self-love is the best kind of love”, they said.
But is it fair that it’s denied?
“Shave”, they said. “A girl is not a girl, with hair.”
“Look at her not showing skin at all. Such a prude.”
“What is she wearing?”
“Must be attention-seeking!”
Put down every day by people who don’t know me, who I am.
But, who am I?
Am I who they say I am? Or am I my own person?
Sixteen years I have lived as a girl. And,
Sixteen years I have been told what to do.
“Sit straight”
“Chest out”, “not too out though”
“Follow your dreams, but, not that one”
“Yes, of course, you can talk to boys”
“Wait, were you talking to a boy?”
I want to grow, I want to live, I want to love,
To see the world through my own eyes,
Not the eyes of a man or a device.
I want to learn, but, there’s always a “but”.
“Love yourself, but, you will always need a man to make you feel good.”
“Self-love is the best kind of love”, they said.
But is it fair that it’s denied?