Poem
Jameela Nishat
WEARING A BURKHA
Wearing a burkhaI took a degree,
Also took to computers
And outshone others easily.
Ammi was happy,
Abba was very happy.
Hadn’t I lifted Sinai single-handedly?
To crush the world underfoot
was my heart’s desire.
Each breath said,
become a conqueror,
an Alexander in burkha!
I went out to have fun.
Entering the cinema
I was stopped by the moral squad
wagging their rods.
Hey young girl,
burkhas not allowed entry.
Black smoke rose from my black mask
and off the burkha went!
© Translation: 2000, Hoshang Merchant
From: Lava
Publisher: Jameela Nishat, Hyderabad, 2000
From: Lava
Publisher: Jameela Nishat, Hyderabad, 2000
WEARING A BURKHA
© 2000, Jameela Nishat
From: Lava
Publisher: Jameela Nishat, Hyderabad
From: Lava
Publisher: Jameela Nishat, Hyderabad
Poems
Poems of Jameela Nishat
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WEARING A BURKHA
Wearing a burkhaI took a degree,
Also took to computers
And outshone others easily.
Ammi was happy,
Abba was very happy.
Hadn’t I lifted Sinai single-handedly?
To crush the world underfoot
was my heart’s desire.
Each breath said,
become a conqueror,
an Alexander in burkha!
I went out to have fun.
Entering the cinema
I was stopped by the moral squad
wagging their rods.
Hey young girl,
burkhas not allowed entry.
Black smoke rose from my black mask
and off the burkha went!
© 2000, Hoshang Merchant
From: Lava
Publisher: 2000, Jameela Nishat, Hyderabad
From: Lava
Publisher: 2000, Jameela Nishat, Hyderabad
WEARING A BURKHA
Wearing a burkhaI took a degree,
Also took to computers
And outshone others easily.
Ammi was happy,
Abba was very happy.
Hadn’t I lifted Sinai single-handedly?
To crush the world underfoot
was my heart’s desire.
Each breath said,
become a conqueror,
an Alexander in burkha!
I went out to have fun.
Entering the cinema
I was stopped by the moral squad
wagging their rods.
Hey young girl,
burkhas not allowed entry.
Black smoke rose from my black mask
and off the burkha went!
© 2000, Hoshang Merchant
From: Lava
Publisher: 2000, Jameela Nishat, Hyderabad
From: Lava
Publisher: 2000, Jameela Nishat, Hyderabad
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