Almost There

The heels I never wore

the dress I bought on a whim

the blouse that smothered my bosom

and a hundred other odds and bits

around the house

—a reminder of the times

I tried to fit in

but failed and flopped

like a C-grade film.

Years it took, no less

to ask, ‘Who am I?’

and years more

to know what I like.

Today I no more

tread the line.

I won’t say

I know it all, but just enough

to not try

to blend in

or stand out.

Neetu Ralhan