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.