girl, wild-haired
lion-hearted
bright-eyed
and impatience-gifted
slips into a foreign skin
and is told to put her lightning
to good use.
girl, full-souled
begins to dance.
girl, trepidation-filled
holds a suitcase
marked with the emerald woman
holding that golden torch
whispering words of freedom
girl, fear-touched
looks to her husband
but he looks at the skyline.
girl, full-voiced
has a ticking mouth
and feet that incessantly tap
when she is full of annoyance
girl, ire-incensed
bursts out in her mother tongue
—dance—
and demands for them
to listen to her
there is music in her hands
and the soles of her feet
and it demands an audience.
girl, pride-filled
knows that any other day
her culture would be pushed away
and shunned
and her home
would sit in her throat untouched but
girl, soft-eyed
slips on her golden jewelry
and touches her students' shoulders
bidding them good luck with a smile
though everyone will be watching her.
girl, spirit-blooded
has a kind of magic
when her feet hit the floor
her eyes flutter shut
and she puts that lightning
to good use.
girl, passion-brimmed
outstretches her colored hands
to the audience around her
because she has no words
she kneels on the stage
the customary sign of respect,
and touches her lips
the mouth that shouted
for a chance to be heard.
"i am woman, reborn."
// parvatha.
