I, myself and me--
who I am, my identity--
I express, I dress
in my sexuality
For me to value you,
I first must value me--
learned from my eyes,
from the smile you see,
by who I am, my integrity.
Purity lies not with our dress,
but within hearts of you or me
No one can address a burka--
all you see is a bag, not the person--
and when a sack must masque a woman,
what does that say about the men?
first published in Nomad’s Choir
© 2002 Bonnie Manion