OH LOOK!
By Astha Pandey
That four-year-old looked graceful in that dress,
Hot pink skirt without any mess.
But your eyes failed to see the innocence on her face,
Your mind filled with embarrassing thoughts than words of embrace.
That two inches of skin below her knees sufficed enough to arouse your feeling,
And then with all faults at your end you mutter,
“Oh look! What she is wearing.”
That eight-year-old wore her first custom jersey,
A rising athlete with dreams beyond the sea.
Her name at the back could not catch your eyes; yet you laughed,
For what caught your attention was the sleeves that were cut and the pant halved.
The gold medal around her neck could not stir your thinking,
Yet you don’t leave a chance but comment
“Oh look! What she is wearing.”
That twelve-year-old had a wall full of medals tied to ribbons blue and red,
New to adolescence, she was learning how to react to the way she bled.
The charm in her persona that she maintained you couldn’t see,
For your eyes went ravishing through her leaving her with nothing but to turn and flee.
Hit by puberty, she needs space as her world is now changing,
You know its none of your business and so you brusquely say
“Oh look! What she is wearing.”
That sixteen-year-old was mature and focused on her studies,
She may not be a topper but had future dreams and worries.
She dressed for herself and her body to fit,
Yet you stare knowing that you need to stay out of it.
Offended by your stare, she confronts you by questioning,
Losing your stand, you vociferate at her parents
“Oh look! What she is wearing.”
That twenty-year-old wore her femineity with pride,
Supportive parents along, she’d won her freedom and a late-night ride.
With full sleeved shirt, a jegging and a stole,
She covered herself like never before.
Yet she was - groped, used, abused, and filmed;
It was not her clothes but your desires that killed.
Yes, the video was viral even before the next morning,
With a series of comments saying
“Oh look! What she was wearing.”
By Astha Pandey
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