Mother, I survived
Your raw blood, like henna
Percolated my pores
Mother, I survived
Had my features matured
They’d be blood-soaked
Had my eyes learned to see
Acid would’ve kohled them white
I, bartered as a bride
I, used despite my worthlessness
I, weighed by my betrayed dreams
Had I grown slightly taller
My father would’ve dwarfed
Had my head been partially bare
My brother’s honor would’ve tumbled
Mother, I slipped into the ancient slumber
And didn’t even hear your lullaby
Mother, I arrived from the unfamiliar
And returned to the safety of the unfamiliar
Mother, I survived
Mother, I survived