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Gedicht

Jameela Nishat

WEARING A BURKHA

Wearing a burkha
I 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!

WEARING A BURKHA

Jameela Nishat

Jameela Nishat

(India, 1958)

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WEARING A BURKHA

WEARING A BURKHA

Wearing a burkha
I 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!
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