They say I am beautiful
But how do they define my beauty?
They say I am beautiful
Is it by my body, or the cloth covering it?
They say I am smart
Is it what is in my head, or what is wrapped around it?
They say I am beautiful
Is it my skin, or the texture of my jilbab?
They say I am oppressed
Is it the heels they want me to wear like a bondage, or is it my lowered gaze?
They say I am caged
Am I supposed to wear bangles like shackles, or hold on to my pen and write?
They say I need freedom
Do they mean I dress half naked and be objectified?
They say I am beautiful
Is it my chest or what is within?
They say I am beautiful
Is it what they see on the surface, or what comes from beneath?
They say I am beautiful
Is it my skinny legs, or the dust from the edges of my jilbab?
They say I am beautiful
I know that
They say I am beautiful
But they do not know where it comes from
They say I am beautiful
My beauty is not from my physical exterior
They say I am beautiful
My beauty comes from within
They say I am beautiful
