Sari and Lipstick

1 meter

       2 meters

                3 meters

a piece left 

for the blouse 

7 metres of cloth

in the name of tradition.

masterji, please

make the blouse tight-

it’s my best friend’s wedding.

handmade art

wrapped around

my body.

the fingers

my mother taught

pleat my pallu

poised to bedazzle,

but not trip over.

they too are passed down

like the knowledge of

how much waist 

is homely

how much waist

is temptation.

tribal earrings

and silver necklaces

bought at

chandani chowk 

like a bohemian.

only sophistication

can turn tradition

exotic.

toner-

check

skin lightener-

check

concealer-

check

lipstick-

check

kajal-

check

bindi-

check

Beauty lies 

in the eyes of

the culture that raises you.