I am no barbie doll

By -
I learnt in class two
Then learning shapes was fun
Square, round, tall, small
Oh, that shape of a drum

Some teased me later
Putting label on my frame
Round, small, short, tiny
I nearly died of shame

I wept looking at the mirror
And my mother would pacify
Dream Big, Act Big
Over shape you should never cry

I was no barbie doll
Same as most of you
No prince ever searched for me
With a missing shoe

But I am pretty
Ask my mom, dad and any of my friends
With all my imperfections
My husband wants to be with me till the end

Yet, they highlight 
Extra pounds, dark skin, short height
Like appearances is all that is
To make a woman right

I don't bother now
Neither should any women out there
I pity those who judge us
On our looks, size and what we wear

And here's a number which shuns the perfect girl image and celebrates the real us.


Comments

  1. Ajay PaiJanuary 12, 2015 at 8:25 PM

    The poem was touching and thought provoking.

    Awesome were these lines :
    "But I am pretty
    Ask my mom, dad and any of my friends
    With all my imperfections
    My husband wants to be with me till the end" True emotions. Loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2015 at 12:03 AM

    Well said! The pressure on girls, especially, to look a certain and unrealistic way is tremendous these days. But beauty comes from within.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rahul BhatiaJanuary 13, 2015 at 2:16 AM

    The inner beauty is what can be appreciated by those who know the person and can leave the radiance for ever! Beautifully versed, Saru:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. BikramJanuary 13, 2015 at 6:52 AM

    it is getting so bad that even the MEN are being pressurised with it all

    the heart of a person is the most important rest are secondary

    Bikram's

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 13, 2015 at 8:27 AM

      Really, I thought otherwise. And yes, what's inside matters the most.

      Delete
  5. K.A. AcharyaJanuary 13, 2015 at 11:49 AM

    Lovely poem, Saru. The people who matter in our life don't bother about shapes, and why should we bother about the others?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 13, 2015 at 4:13 PM

      Well said. I wish girls at they growing age understand that.

      Delete
  6. ManiparnaJanuary 13, 2015 at 3:33 PM

    We should never judge a person by her/his physical attributes. The inner beauty matters much to me. Sadly, some people think the other way...I pity them really...

    Strong message and nicely penned :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 13, 2015 at 4:18 PM

      Yes but with craziness around I see many grown ups falling for it.

      Thanks for reading, Maniparna.

      Delete
  7. Saru SinghalJanuary 13, 2015 at 4:17 PM

    Thank you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. VinithaJanuary 13, 2015 at 5:03 PM

    Very well said, Saru. I grew up hearing comparisons of these sort. I accepted that I'm not pretty and moved on. Pretty or not it doesn't matter when we have people in our lives who love us for who we are, right? Loved your poem. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. BGTJanuary 13, 2015 at 7:32 PM

    Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. And our beholders are family and friends - whose thoughts and feelings matter to us. Others are just part of "noise". Very well expressed Saru..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 13, 2015 at 8:26 PM

      Yup, it's all noise. Thank you for a lovely comment, Binu. :)

      Delete
  10. RajlakshmiJanuary 13, 2015 at 9:22 PM

    I was alien like skinny once, and everyone would suggest me to eat more. I started going on heavier side later on and people would comment on my chubby cheeks and bulging belly. Now I am happy, healthy and don't care what people think. Awesome poem Saru.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AseemJanuary 13, 2015 at 10:33 PM

    Beautifully written Saru :). Women are under pressure to look good in all sorts of ways all the time. In the end its more important to be a good human being and if our family loves us for that, then there's nothing more we need in our lives.

    Unfortunately physical beauty matters for a lot of people in our society even today :/.

    ReplyDelete
  12. joshi danielJanuary 14, 2015 at 2:29 AM

    very true :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Manjulika PramodJanuary 14, 2015 at 8:49 AM

    We should respect our body and not try to be somebody else...I pity those who do...More than attaining physical shape and size, Inner beauty needs to be worked upon..
    Well put in rhyme..

    ReplyDelete
  14. Online JournalistJanuary 14, 2015 at 9:59 AM

    Very good and meaningful poem. Congrats.

    ReplyDelete
  15. lifestalkerJanuary 14, 2015 at 10:05 AM

    you remind me of a poem that i have read in first year college. Marriages Are Made by Eunice D'Souza, the poem tells how girls being objectified, and how they are being judged on skin, height, and not education or talent they posses. thanks for reminding back :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 14, 2015 at 12:13 PM

      I read it just now. It's beautiful. Sadly, there are many out there who give undue importance to looks.

      Thanks for sharing the poem.

      Delete
  16. UnknownJanuary 14, 2015 at 10:09 AM

    Lovely poem Saru and I love the song too.....watch it daily on MTV AM rush :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Someone is SpecialJanuary 14, 2015 at 11:32 AM

    Wonderful poem Saru! Felt happy reading you after a small gap :D

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownJanuary 14, 2015 at 12:57 PM

    I felt good after reading this. Most of us girls, are not barbie dolls. People judge girls by their looks. This hasn't changed yet.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ravish ManiJanuary 14, 2015 at 4:16 PM

    Smiling........ Reminds me of your tweet, "I'm Saru Singhal not Single" :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. M S MahawarJanuary 14, 2015 at 11:00 PM

    Lovely Poem :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. www.lifepartneracademy.comJanuary 14, 2015 at 11:33 PM

    Very beautifully composed poem Saru. The baby doll requirements are that of the Media and people are more influenced by media and so they seek it. However, its the inside of a person that makes him or her beautiful as you said in your lines "with all my imperfections".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 15, 2015 at 1:38 PM

      Yes, media is hugely responsible for feeding this image. I agree, what's inside is more important.

      Delete
  22. UnknownJanuary 14, 2015 at 11:38 PM

    Well and sensitively written, Saru. Best wishes for more such!

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2015 at 12:11 AM

    Beautifully written. That's the spirit and that's where the beauty lies.

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2015 at 1:18 AM

    Beautifully written the bitter truth of our society...'Women have to look good". It feels good that women are gradually realizing their worth which is not in superficial beauty but their personality and humanity. Thank you Saru for such beautiful poem!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 15, 2015 at 1:50 PM

      I wish more young girls realize it. Thanks for reading and a lovely comment.

      Delete
  25. RachnaJanuary 15, 2015 at 1:24 AM

    Well said, Saru. What more can I add? You said it all eloquently.

    ReplyDelete
  26. HemantJanuary 15, 2015 at 1:35 AM

    Saru..this one is just WOW...I just shared with my wife and she too loved it.....

    ReplyDelete
  27. Rajeev MoothedathJanuary 15, 2015 at 3:26 AM

    Beautifully composed poem-Loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  28. ParulJanuary 15, 2015 at 4:10 AM

    Beautifully written and see we how much we think alike - I wrote this on Tuesday https://happinessandfood.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/beware-of-the-barbie-syndrome/ :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 15, 2015 at 2:07 PM

      Thanks Parul and reading it just now.

      Welcome here!

      Delete
  29. ekta khetanJanuary 15, 2015 at 4:20 AM

    I so much love you the way you are. I call it gorgeous. Dunno if gorgeous is the shape. As long as we are natural, we are good. [I am saying this cause I am outta shape but I care not much on societal view but my own forthright' BHagwan ne yeh shape dia..maine kab lalaika Arora figure ke liye mana kiya tha ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 15, 2015 at 2:20 PM

      Hehehe... I don't like her body type, she is too skinny. You are gorgeous, Ekta. It's rather easy to mold and change shape but we can hardly change what's inside.

      To girls - we rock! <3

      Delete
  30. UppalJanuary 15, 2015 at 4:36 AM

    The most important is 'be yourself"A talented,confident girl has the right to say to the half witted who goes for the so called beauty, "Go to hell".Loved your poem!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 15, 2015 at 2:22 PM

      I will keep that thought in mind and will pass it on. Thanks for reading, Ma'am.

      Delete
  31. UnknownJanuary 15, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    There is more than what eyes can see.....I was called a road roller (fondly though) by few people and many nicknames titled by unknowns.....I wish I had learned this lesson and had an understanding of this when I was young....Sad I wasted my precious time brooding over their comments....Nice one Saru

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 15, 2015 at 2:29 PM

      We all learn; some early, some late. Thanks for reading, Vidhya.

      Delete
  32. RamakrishnanJanuary 15, 2015 at 12:03 PM

    External beauty is only skin deep. Tap the surface and look at the wealth of goodness beneath. !

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ranjana's craft blogJanuary 15, 2015 at 12:47 PM

    Very nice...Saru.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ankita January 16, 2015 at 12:54 PM

    a very thoughtful point described in crisp and b'ful words. purity of soul makes a person b'ful. loved it Saru !

    ReplyDelete
  35. UnknownJanuary 17, 2015 at 11:25 AM

    true value of women is in their qualities. Oh sorry, actually this is true for any human being. Yes we judge people by their appearance, not only women but men too. Appearance or first impression matters. Also not every dress is suitable for everyone. Many can't carry their dress and look ugly even in most beautiful dresses. people without a good dressing sense is a big put off to many including me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 18, 2015 at 9:58 AM

      Dressing sense makes or mars your appearance. You are right, inner beauty is relevant to both the sexes.

      Delete
  36. Ramakant PradhanJanuary 19, 2015 at 7:18 AM

    It's a beautiful poem with a nice meaning. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  37. UnknownJanuary 19, 2015 at 12:20 PM

    Hello Saru, I am very to say that I have nominated your lovely blog for the Very Inspiring Blog Award.

    Thank You. :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. LocomenteJanuary 20, 2015 at 1:01 PM

    Brilliant... Very well said :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Sindhu Devi KJanuary 21, 2015 at 7:33 AM

    Superb, Saru! Yes, no girl/boy needs to worry about their looks! But, definitely they need to look at and maintain their inner beauty.
    Sharing this in my FB timeline...
    TC! Keep smiling :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalJanuary 21, 2015 at 4:31 PM

      Thank you so much for a lovely comment and for sharing, Sindhu. :)

      Delete
  40. ArtiJanuary 24, 2015 at 11:06 AM

    Strong message. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. This attitude is really the need of the hour.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anjali SengarJanuary 13, 2016 at 11:32 PM

    A heart touching poem dear :)

    ReplyDelete

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