My skin is a crime
Freckles and scars
Lines marking growth from child to woman-
All hideous, lame, worthless
"Imperfections", they betray me
My skin is a secret
Sacred, coveted
Show some, show none
Inches marking me:
Prude or Slut
My hair is a war cry
Each must be silenced, snuffed
Lest I start a war, a political cry
They say it is "personal preference"
Even as strangers scorn with their gazes
My hair is beautiful
Only if it is on my head
Long strands are flags of white
Neutral, surrender
Short locks cry rebellion
My womb is mandatory
"I want grandchildren!"
"How can you not want kids?"
"You'll change your mind one day"
"Women are meant to be mothers"
My womb is not mine
It is my lover's
My family's
My country's
An unborn's
My skin is a crime
My skin is a secret
My hair is war
My hair is surrender
My womb is mandatory
My womb is not mine
My body is a battleground
And I will always lose this war