Be Fair Poem by Maya Patel

Tanya,
You don't understand the world yet. That's why I'm here, auntie knows best.
When they gloat about the beauty of Indian women in movies,
A girl that looks like you does not show up,
With your eggplant colored skin, and your bulging darkness,
It's always girls the color of marbles.
Don't you want to be one of them, Tanya?
Don't you want to be able to pick between the multiple options when it comes to grooms?
Or do you want to be alone forever?
I've prepared the perfect mixture with an excess of turmeric. Just let me treat you with this, and you'll be the perfect complexion of -

Tanya,
I don't understand what is wrong with you.
You see, you don't have a special privilege to avoid the roads. You're meant to get the stares if you look like this.
Tanya, I'm only trying to prepare you for your future.
Your complexion is unfortunate.
But you can't come back home and hide yourself because of the taunts!
You have to put up with the insults.
But you won't, if you do what I tell you to do for once, Tanya!
There, there, it's alright, don't waste your time crying,
You might look worse if you do.
Try this face pack. The tomato paste should wipe away all of your imperfections.

Accepting yourself is not an option, dear.
If girls that looked like you accepted yourself,
We'd be elsewhere.
And nobody wants that.
Because the only option for recognition is being fair.
Have you ever thought about the horrors that your mother has to go through everyday? Trying to find someone to get you married with?
Are you the only person that you care about?

You see, Tanya.
Auntie used to look like you once.
I look somewhat better, after years of all these pastes that I make you.
Tanya, I want you to grow up to be… a successful woman.
I don't want you to be home-ridden like me. I want you to be accepted.
Tanya, give this cream one last chance for me.
We're only doing this so that you can be well off.

Tanya, don't let your mind wander,
You can't give in to your thoughts.
Being fair is easy, Tanya, let me help you.