Tiger Stripes

Undress and look in the mirror,
At your pale and sensitive skin,
Sheathed with stretch marks,
That run across your body,
Like branches of an old tree.

Hark back to somebody sniggering at your stripes,
That cover every inch of your torso,
Varying from slim and white,
To thick and angry scarlet.

Remember being asked to get rid of the imperfect scales?
Their bulges, spots, colours, and shapes.
Stay here and canoodle,
The beautifully embroidered skin with silver threads.

Undress and look in the mirror,
The soft and warm skin,
Wrapped with vividly hued artistic strings.

Discern deep within,
That the angel scratches are as natural as,
Falling in love with a melody.

Feel and stare,
Till you know,
You have never been more beautiful.

Samakshi Garg, a commerce undergraduate at the University of Delhi. I love to pen down poems that empower people and help them realise the importance of self-love plus acceptance.

Featured image: NIKHIL/Unsplash