Someday by Ashaani Taneja

I look at myself,

in the mirror,

reflecting my persona.

I touch up my makeup,

just a notch,

but suddenly, I wonder why?

I smile at my reflection,

a smile that reaches my eyes,

a smile with positivity.

But all is hidden,

by a black cloth,

my whole body wrapped in a thick black blanket.

I avert my gaze to the mirror again,

but all I can see,

are my hazel eyes.

I don’t recognize myself anymore,

all the positivity is clouded,

clouded to the very brim.

Then I realized it’s a lid,

I lift up my Burkha,

and I see the sun shining again.

I lift and cover myself a several times,

but all I face is anger,

I have the urge to dump all my makeup.

Instead I clean it up,

and put it aside,

in the hope that somebody will lift my Burkha someday.

Ashaani is a 15 year old writer who is currently studying at Welham Girls School, Dehradun in grade 11. She has authored a book named 'Bad Blood Frenemies' which was launched in October 2019 in the Dehradun Literature Festival by legendary, Mr. Ruskin Bond. Ashaani also received 'The Ruskin Bond Literary Award' for synopsis writing in 2018. One of her poems 'Breath' was published in the literary magazine called the 'The Indian Periodical.' Ashaani has also participated in many school events, from writing to sports and extracurriculars including dramatics and vocal music. She is very passionate about writing and hopes to pursue it as a career in the near future.