It was that day –
My debut on the daughter-in-law runway.
All’d be present there…
The near and extended family’s share.
Putting together a pretty saree for the ceremony.
I stepped out strutting ALL the tokens of matrimony.
Exquisite and bright silk sarees flooded the room
Every lady there dressed in a style more like a costume.
Heavy brocade borders
A long gold necklace
Hair tied back
Big studs for earrings
Each lady,
Though with the above similarities,
Stood out with her unique poise.
I tried to blend in…
But…
The saree’s blouse was mismatched.
My thread-thin gold chain wiggled self-consciously.
The artificial bangle ended up missing an American diamond…
My loose curls all over the place weren’t much help either.
In that sea of perfection,
I dialled mom in frenzy for a last minute correction.
Inadequacy creeping and cheerfulness buckling
I grieved to her feeling like the ugly duckling!
“Had I had that new gold necklace on me…!”
Wait. Was that really my happiness’ key!?
That realisation struck me quicker than a lightning.
Dissipating my self-inflicted shortcoming and enlightening.
So silly am I to worry about things so petty
While my talent lies boxed in the dark all so sweaty…
I make ends meet to rise out of trivial alarms
But nothing as my capability lies dormant and disarms…
