Hijaab' Poem by Noorie Ali

Radiant colours decorate me in modesty
Some might call this mockery’
I call it contrary
Chased by my dignity
I boycott dainty roses
Those limit my femininity
My freedom of speech

Fascinate’ this fashion of mine
Hold it to your heart
For I am not abjured
The veil is the skin for me
And the sound for my voice

If I let this cover go
I will -
Be gone forever with scars on my bones

Some may think it’s forcefully on me
This cloth of self - security

My beauty I wear up
In style.
This fashion of mine is
Purity’

From the one strand of hair
To my feet, that won’t walk bare I’m
Shielded in simplicity

I sigh not a word for
I am free and happy in the tenderness of my veil.