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:
***** or ****

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