Tag Archive | head scarf

The answer is no!

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You want me to cover my hair

I say no!

You say it’s the sign of piety

I say no!

You say it will protect me from harm

I say no!

You say otherwise I’ll excite men

I say no!

You can’t convince me to do something I don’t want to do

You don’t realize how strong I am

You have tried to put me down

But each time, you see me rise 

You fear me and my courage 

You should!

I am determined and won’t back down 

I will continue this fight 

I see you are worried and

You should be! 

Women, life, liberty!

March 2023 

Where is the tofu?

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I was at the grocery store 

I like your headscarf she said

I said it was because of my chemo treatment

Breast cancer, she asked?

Yes, I said

I’ve had breast cancer too, she said

Only surgery and radiation though

The mastectomy was very uncomfortable

Pain, and the dreadful surgical drain

That drains the excess fluid from your body after surgery

But they did a great job with the reconstruction

These are the things we talked about

Because I asked her where the tofu was 

January 12, 2023

Close your eyes

 

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If I entice you with my beautiful locks

Which is a gift from God to adorn my face

The problem is you, not me

If my bare ankles arise in you sensual thoughts

The problem is you, not me

My natural body is to be celebrated, not hidden

Would you cover up a bouquet of roses because it’s too beautiful?

Close your eyes instead!  

Close your eyes if the price of your lustful thoughts

Is my imprisonment under layers of cloth

Close your eyes if you can’t handle God-given beauty

And sexualize what is natural and part of life

Close your eyes

Don’t put me in bondage because of your weaknesses

Close your eyes

 

November 4th, 2022

Lionesses

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You say I should cover my hair and body 

So I don’t  tempt men

I say men should be and are stronger than that

You say the headscarf is a sign of modesty

I say it’s a means of control 

You say dancing excites the other sex

I say dancing brings joy into my life

You say women’s singing voice shouldn’t be heard

I say you are depriving society of so much

You say women are the weaker sex

And they need protection

I say you haven’t seen what we are capable of

You say the place of women is at home

I say society needs our contribution 

You hit, and arrest and try to torture women into submission

I say this cruelty is much worse than what you consider immodesty 

You do these things in the name of religion

I say religion is for peace

You fear women it seems

And you should because women are strong and courageous

And will fight for their equality like lionesses till they achieve their goal

October 17th, 2022