Written by Yasmeen Shah
You’re scared that one day
I’ll shed off this star studded shawl
and show them the embroidered scars near my shoulder
like a hanging parapet
of a demolished fort
You’re scared
that one day
I’ll rise above the pompous gama
and mellow smiles,
to tell them all
though my teeth are white
my soul is decayed
in yellows and browns
I swear you won’t be able to look at
or stand the odour
You’re scared one day
I’ll rise above the crown of my head
and the glue of my tongue
to be the one
with a crowned tongue
and a head glued to the sky
You’re scared
that one day
I won’t breach the doors
or break the glass windows
yet the world will listen to my agony through my raised voice
jamming all the cacophonies
the decibels will shake the mountains of the far land
and you’ll be surprised.
You’re scared
that one day
I’ll no longer be scared.
