Poetry by 14-year old Mahmudah

This is my face

And I will never again underestimate

The faith of my face

when I am faced

By a piece of glass

that attempts to erase

The pride of my race

And objectify me

by the size of my waist

I won't let some number

representing my weight

Weigh on my conscience

and dictate the amount of food I eat

Or the size of my plate

My standards are high

I know my place

I can shatter a mirror

But a mirror can't break

The size or confidence of the woman I've made

~ by Mahmudah

__________

Do you know what it was like

Wishing you'd come home

Knowing the moment you arrived

I would want you gone

You had no reason to behave

The way you often did

You gave into a binding rage

So seldom did you see

The pieces that you left behind

Were broken parts of me

~ by Mahmudah