When You Look At Me ,

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME
ALL YOU CAN SEE
IS THE SCARF THAT COVERS MY HAIR.
MY WORDS YOU CAN'T HEAR
BECAUSE YOU'RE TOO FULL OF FEAR,
MOUTH GAPING, ALL YOU DO IS STARE.

YOU THINK IT'S NOT MY OWN CHOICE,
IN YOUR OWN "LIBERATION" YOU REJOICE.
YOU'RE SO THANKFUL THAT YOU'RE NOT ME.
YOU THINK I'M UNEDUCATED,
TRAPPED, OPPRESSED AND SUBJUGATED.
YOU'RE SO THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE FREE.

BUT WESTERN WOMAN YOU'VE GOT IT WRONG-
YOU'RE THE WEAK AND I'M THE STRONG,
FOR I'VE REJECTED THE TRAP OF MAN.
FANCY CLOTHES-LOW NECK, SHORT SKIRT,
THESE ARE DEVICES FOR PAIN AND HURT,
v I'M NOT FALLING FOR THAT LITTLE PLAN.

ALWAYS JUMPING TO THE MALE AGENDA,
COMPETING ON HIS TERMS.
NO JOB SHARE, NO CRECHE FACILITIES,
NO FEEDING AND NAPPY CHANGING AMENITIES.
NO TIME OFF FOR MENSTRUAL PAIN-
"HORMONES" THEY LAUGH "WHAT A SHAME."
NO EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL SKILL-
YOUR JOB THEY CAN ALWAYS FILL.
NO PROMOTION UNLESS YOU'RE STERILISED.
NO PROMOTION UNLESS YOU'RE SEXUALLY TERRORISED.
AND IS THIS LIBERATION?

I'M A PERSON WITH IDEAS AND THOUGHT,
I'M NOT FOR SALE, I CAN'T BE BOUGHT.
I WON'T DECORATE ANYONE'S ARM,
NOR BE PROMOTED FOR MY CHARM.
THER'S MORE TO ME THAN PLAYING COY.

LIVING LIFE AS A BALANCING GAME-MOTHER,
DAUGHTER,WIFE,NURSE,CLEANER,COOK,LOVER-
AND STILL BRING HOME A WAGE.
WHO THOUGHT UP THIS MODERN "FREEDOM"
WHERE MAN CAN LOVE 'EM AND MAN CAN LEAVE 'EM
THIS IS NOT FREE BUT LIFE IN A CAGE.

WESTERN WOMAN YOU CAN HAVE YOUR LIFE
MINE-IT HAS LESS STRIFE.
I COVER AND I GET RESPECTED
SURELY THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED-
FOR I WON'T DEMEAN THE FEMININE
I WON'T LIVE TO A MALE CRITERION.
I DANCE TO MY OWN TUNE,
AND I HOPE YOU SEE THIS VERY SOON,
FOR YOUR OWN SAKE-WAKE UP AND USE YOUR SIGHT!
ARE YOU SO SURE THAT YOU ARE RIGHT?

.....................................................................................

By Ida Nufary