Eve’s Daughter

Photo Credit: Vinita Agrawal

Eve’s daughter

I am Eve’s daughter, that’s my crime.
On top of that—poetry!—the greatest crime.

I am not a spectacle. I must speak my mind.
I can think, so I should be hanged!
My every word, every cry is a crime.
On top of that—poetry!—the greatest crime.

I’m a woman, so why should I have feelings?
Why be alive? I just meet a need.
This insight itself is a crime.
On top of that—poetry!—the greatest crime.

If my hem catches fire I must stay quiet.
Always, I bear injustice and must stay quiet.
If I open my mouth it’s a crime.
On top of that—poetry!—the greatest crime.

I must lock my feelings away in my heart’s prison.
How dare I insult you!
Even to utter your name is a crime,
On top of that—poetry!—the greatest crime.

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Dr Sarwat Zahra

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Dr Sarwat Zahra is an award winning, Pakistan based, promising poetess. Her work is representative of the new generation. She has authored two books of poetry JALTEE HAWA KA GEET and WAQT KI QAID SE.