Once Upon a Desert
Have you seen the desert?
My first steps are remembered by her sands.
I was raised on her mirages,
Bartered off when I first shed blood.
My wedding journey was etched on her visage,
Rows of camels, a blushing bride, a man in the front.
My grave will also be a secret in her breast.
Have you held the desert?
She cannot be contained.
But I am,
Within four walls in her realm,
Bound by ropes invisible to all,
By my man and many many men,
Who know better than everyone.
Have you ruled the desert?
No one owns her, she goes where she pleases.
But I am,
Told when to go, how to go, where to go
My steps should not err,
For even the falcons have eyes,
And tongues men understand.
Have you touched the desert?
She plays like a wayward child.
But I am no child,
I have breasts that suckle children,
Hips that bear weight of a man,
Hair which is twisted into handholds,
To bang my head on the walls.
Have you annoyed the desert?
She spews piercing needles.
One day I will rage like her
My mother who bore me upon her chest,
And fed me her rare water.
One day I will pierce those men’s eyes
Who would want to know me closely,
More and more, morning and night.
One day I will be smart like her
Upon those men, who don’t know what we both know,
And let them sink into her depths.
Copyright © Sabrina Salah | Year Posted 2016
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