What’s in a blouse, you ask, a red sleeveless blouse?

Though seemingly naive it may seem, oh boy! You have no idea—it does raise a lot of brows…

 

One lazy noon as she was browsing an online clothing store,

A red sleeveless blouse caught her attention, the blouse, how she adored!

However its strap was a teeny bit skinny, something that she had never worn and was not used to,

Why not, she thought! At least at this age, surely it shouldn’t be an issue, 

So she placed the order and, lo and behold! in a few days it came,

For reasons you wouldn’t even imagine it soon shot to fame,

Upon showing her purchase the blouse was at the hotseat and up for discussion, 

People around her had seemingly interesting opinions… 

She was told;

“It can’t be worn to the temple or divine ceremonies( she never planned to!),

Not to the school meetings, office, not at relatives’ weddings,

Not in front of your children, uhm uhm! They are all grown up now,

Definitely not in front of elders—aunties, uncles, Holy cow!

Not at home, after all why be dressy when you’re busy with chores and at the kitchen,

Not outside—surrounded by the ogling eyes of men,

Not at parties, what if your bold choice puts you at a negative spotlight ?

Not to late night movies, don’t you know how dangerous it can get at night?

Not for vanity, lest it’s comprehended as mid-life crisis, 

Beware! Your changes in dressing and style people will begin to notice,

Not even while alone, admiring your reflection at the mirror,

Come on! You are not some look-obsessed teenager,

Not here, not there, not everywhere,

Not in the morning, noon or night where people can give quite a stare…

 

Enough is enough! Her head seemed to reel with all the aspersions,

She didn’t realize a piece of clothing could lead to conversations at length, 

 

Well! It’s not only about the red sleeveless blouse that i’m talking about you see…

Think loud! Don’t you realize it stands for the multiple other things a woman seeks, for the society to agree?

 

Well! The red sleeveless blouse though never worn, at least became a topic for poetry,

However, whether people would be judgemental about the topic chosen, is definitely something about which one has to ponder!!

***

This poem was written and recited for The Rhythmic Affair Season 5, Adult poetry slam event conducted by Beyond the Box platform in August. It was declared the Runner-Up.