Webster's Dictionary

by RuaaLabanieh

March 27, 2015

I see myself defined by the attack on terrorism news,

by the man’s face wrapped in a traditional turban,

worn for all the wrong reasons as they speak

with broken and accented english.

I see myself defined by justified yet misplaced resentment,

by the man’s trembling and destructive fists,

heading towards the innocent

in the name of the lord I define myself with

I see myself interpreted by what I wear on my head,

by the words “oppressed” and “ignorant” forced through one ear,

taking years for me to bully them out the other,

with my mother’s reassurance and my father’s pride.

I see myself interpreted by the conservativeness of my clothing

by the layer over layer to cover the extensive skin

unexposed to the tanning sunrays, never traced by man’s desire

in the name of the modesty I define myself with

I see myself interpreted by what I can’t and can do,

by the UD sign on jello and the K for kosher on granola bars

searching through the menu for chicken

as the waiter crosses out the pork.

I see myself defined by the shortcuts past the wine aisle

by the non-alcoholic beverage label on apple cidar

while people try to explain the freedom they receive

at the end of a satisfying bottle I refused

in the name of the religion I define myself with.

I see myself silhouetted by the woman in the mirror,

by her puzzled eyes and furrowed, thick eyebrows

associated with her family’s heritage as she’s heard countless times

as she contributes to the speech with an eye roll and an exasperated sigh.

I see myself defined by her meaning when she speaks,

by her actions and the places her feet take her,

then slowly, by the curve of her lips, when she smiles

she finally recognized the falsehoods of others’ definitions

In the name of this woman in the mirror I choose to define myself.

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RuaaLabanieh

I laugh every time I see a box like this where you write facts and thing about yourself because I have no idea how to do this, its quite sad. Im really no on special, just another person looking for words to escape being forever speechless Im addicted to coffee, we have a special relationship along with my bed. Its a very intriguing love triangle Im very quiet when you first meet me yet my levels of randomness and my overwhelmingly loud and annoying nature tends to unravel when Im comfortable I hate the chimes of clocks and the little tic tic sound, it drives me absolutely bonkers, I hate the sound silence that awful, persistent buzzing sound, I hate the sound of men's voices when they are angry I hope I really get caught up in this website, I can't wait to meet new, lovely people. Peace, love, happiness, and words my friends :3

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