ode to lost innocence.

::she::yeye::

whose child is she
who is cradled
in the arms of another
a bruised spirit as she.

whose child is she
who lights up
the lives of others
casting a gentle smile
a loving gaze
a familiar touch
a sweet kiss

whose child is she
whose femaleness
began to form
beneath dried blood
underneath the dishdashas
her hips were taking form
expanding

in/out . (ward) edness.

e.x.p.a.n.d.i.n.g

whose inner folds
yearn.

:would: yearn.

can yearn

should be let
to yearn..

whose child is she
negated
forced
subjugated
pushed down
the throat
lazimishwa
to listen
skiliza
to
orchestrated
technofied
sounds
crashing rooftops
dreams deferred

silencing
delights of youthful
laughter
childlike enchantement
womaish exhuberance
exhiliration of the
first touch.

whose child is she
whose child is she
is she
she