By Mahnoor Rehman

Every day I come back home to silence

Parts of my body shaking but there is no voice

Silent screams through my nerves

I feed myself – to feel no strength

Another day of being weak.

Heart warmed through

the artificially lit heater on my bedside.

Not cooked and crumbled in Ammi’s voice

Separate parts splitting inside me

Bitter coffee-flavored skin to look at

To suck at

Elevated heartbeat, deepening brown under my eyes

Thick hair dryness, soil in tears

Movements you say? I wish I could be elongated.

Wish calmness would possess me one day

Wish vulnerability would be vulnerable.