Reclaiming My Narrative

“You wouldn’t wear that if your parents didn’t force you, right?”

With my ninth grade peers

She pointed at my headscarf

And made her remark

She meant me no harm

Assumed she was helping me

Just defend myself

Thought I’d heard it all

Terrorist, hateful, extreme

But this was brand new

Passive, meek, suppressed

How was this my narrative?

I was dumbfounded

Did they really think

My headscarf wasn’t my choice

And I was pressured?

Who was to force me?

And why need someone make me

Wear what I so love?

In it, I am strong

I make you see past my looks

And right at my soul

In it, I am free

You judge less of my physique

And my heart shines through

I wished to show them

I make my own decisions

Now, I must take charge

I write my story

Of me, my headscarf, my faith

My identity