Artwork by Isma (@ismagulhasan)
Ribbon turned school sash
Which is to say, my growth
Shameful as it is will draw
Eyes otherwise, The sash
like a hungry caterpillar
Feeds on my attention
Becomes a thriving dupatta
On my 12 year old body
Boldly declaring me
‘Potential Crime Scene’
The eyes linger & follow
Playground to parking lot
While the dupatta grows in
width By leaps & bounds
It reaches my abdomen
& like a parasite
Dwells in my very being
Like a futile survival instinct
I jump for it
I jump for it
When I see my Father
My Brother, My Uncle
I do wonder why
I am 20 and it still grows
& gnaws at my heart
A black serpent feasts
Upon fear & shame
I fear the day will come
When it swallows me whole
Or in a final preposterous display
Transforms itself
Around my neck
A noose wrung tight
| Mashaal | She is a female Poet from Rawalpindi. Her Poems have appeared and are forthcoming in publications such as The Tule Review, Girls Right The World Journal, and Papeachu Review. |