Of Hypocrisy and Cheekbones

"Of Hypocrisy and Cheekbones" is an Indian poem by the Indian English writer and translator Shahnaz Habib. The poem won First Prize in the Ninth All India Poetry Competition conducted by The Poetry Society (India) in 2000.

Excerpts from the poem

 * Sometimes you see a man
 * With such irresistible cheekbones
 * You feel an urge to raise your hand
 * And touch them
 * Simply to know how they feel
 * To your skin.
 * And then he looks full in your face
 * And dazzles you with a reckless, innocent smile,
 * Not of invitation, merely inviting.


 * And then,
 * All those years of prudent upbringing,
 * Your religion, your values,
 * The stern concern of your father
 * The hushed chiding of your mother,
 * The sour wisdom of generations
 * The hardened core of civilisations
 * Rise in indignation within you


 * And quash the cave-woman
 * Mercilessly
 * So that you give him
 * A grim, ladylike glare
 * And turn your face away in disgust.




 * And then,
 * The next day you take care
 * Without really thinking why,
 * Not to get into the same bus.

Comments and criticism
The poem has received critical acclaim since its first publication in 2000 in the book Emerging Voices and has since been widely anthologised. The poem has been frequently quoted in scholarly analysis of contemporary Indian English poetry.