THEY SAY I AM BEAUTIFUL

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