Poems

Mother I’ve Been Saved

I’ve been saved Mother, Mother I’ve been saved
The henna of your blood has dyed every pore of my almost being
 
Had I been allowed to form, each feature would have still filled with blood
Had light come to my eyes they would have been lined with the kohl of acid
 
I would have been bartered in satta-watta or been useful for an honour killing
Every dream would have been unfulfilled 
 
Had I grown even a little, my father would have diminished in stature
Had my scarf slipped just a little, my brother’s proud turban would have tumbled
 
Before I could hear your lullaby, I went into my own unborn sleep
I came from an unknown land, Mother I am lost in an unknown land
 
I’ve been saved Mother, Mother I’ve been saved
The henna of your blood has dyed every pore of my almost being
 
I’ve been saved Mother