"Mama, why did you lie?"
My little girl cried
I immediately thought of the tooth fairy
And magical sleigh rides
Instead, she told me something
That made my heartthrob
"Why'd you tell me I was beautiful?"
Was what she sobbed.
I pulled her in close,
Began to whisper in her ear
I told her all the things,
That she needed to hear
I told her that her eyes
Were wondrous and kind
They were windows to her soul,
Doors to her mind.
Her hair, a jet black
Was curled in tight rings
The button nose I gifted her
Sniffed as she heard these things
Her body was flawless
Just like everything she owned
My little girl was perfect for me,
From her skin to her bones.
She had her father's lips,
Her grandmother's height
She carried a little of everyone,
And still cast her own light
Her weight was just a number;
Her worth was so much more
I told her to show me the smile
I'd always be thankful for.
She stretched her lips in response,
Not believing a word I'd said
I wanted to find the one,
Who'd put this notion in her head
I wished to bring back the joy,
The colour on her face
I hoped this insecurity
Would be a passing phase.
I told her to keep her chin up,
Walk with her back straight
I wished that her confidence-
Would soon elevate
My little girl was a warrior;
Intelligent and strong
Whoever thought beauty had one form,
Couldn't have been more wrong.
It comes in every shape and size,
Type, colour and race
Our hearts, minds and souls, too-
Not just in a pretty face
I wanted to argue more,
Convince her I was telling the truth
But I knew my girl wouldn't listen,
Until she believed it too.
~Sahana Athreya,
Inventure Academy, Grade 12
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