Her skin dazzled like glass

with every ray of sun touching it

the ephemeral beauty of the youth in prime

its like the blissful fountain hiding which is a crime

She had a routine to follow early every morning

She glided her matt-finish lipshade and

winged her kajal adding the high-volume mascara

adding volume to those kohled set of eyes

She perfected her pout and took a few selfies.

Few she liked but disliked many

for she did not match to be the

perfect seductress that she needed to be

a skin show exclusive for her online followers.

She tried many outfits and finally chose

a low neckline which promised to show her cleavage

making her appear a clean savage.

Now she clicked some clicks

guaranteeing the look that attracted

the hungry lustful eyes .

Happily uploaded them and smiled with jubilation

This had slowly become an addiction and

she felt distracted everytime she held a book

She missed notifications that validated her beauty

as “hot” and various other remarks making her desirable

Obsessed with this game she made progress into

a vicious cycle of anxiety and depression

with lack of notifications appreciating her

curves that defined her body

She shamed her own body

to fit into the perfect hour-glass figure

cutting down her meal but adding on the makeup layers

Then one fine day an illness gripped her

and she found herself in the hospital bed

unable to move her own body

family and few friends attended her but

none from the online community

even noticed her absence

Petrified with losing the followers

she played the sympathy game

of posting her real pictures

with dark circles and blemishes

that so often a tiny pimple leaves

Few days were a hit when wishes

for her recovery rushed in

but soon people lost interest

for online community is after all only a virtual asset

With time she realized her folly

how dumb she was busy to impress and not express

how foolish she was to give in to the fad and undress !!

Disclaimer: This poem is not intended to offend anyone. A woman is always free to look beautiful or sexy and live life on her own terms. But the intention here is to pass on the message to adolescent girls who become obsessed with today’s online notification /virtual world and develop a dangerous obsession!

Love,

Chinmayee