When I wear jeans,

I am called a wanderer,

And when I wear a scarf,

Club me backward!

Who am I?

I talk to some stranger,

And they think it's my crudity;

And when I offer prayers,

Club me narrowminded!

Who am I?

When I laugh openly,

It reflects my selfishness,

And when caged inside,

Among the sighs and sobs,

Earns me the lady of manner!

I exhort from one and all,

Monsters-

Who makes me suspicious in my own eyes,

And for others,

Why should I bother to know

Who I actually am!

Let me breathe,

Let me be,

For I am fire, I am storm,

I am the voice they try to drown.

Yet I rise,

Yet I shine,

Unapologetically,

I am me!

The writer has written poetry and fiction in both Urdu and English and often explores social issues, particularly those affecting women. She has contributed to several magazines and anthologies and received a certificate from the TSL Group in December 2020 for her participation in a National Poetry Writing competition.
Email: aasiamajeed786@gmail