Tradition Bound by Naureen Amjad

The walls around me
They hover
Menacingly
Coming closer
From all sides
Joining hands
Together
They weigh me down
Constrict
Restrict
My every move.
Now
My remains
Lying in a sepulcher
Have learned to conform;
But the spirit
Crawls
On the walls
Looking for a leeway.

Beyond the wall

A leeway to go
Beyond the walls
Where
I can wear my dreams
And flaunt
All its colourful
Shocking
Nakedness;
Where
I can dance the waltz
With the wind
And
Watch
Not my every move
But the stars
Of regions unknown
And many worlds;
Where
I can hear
Not the harsh, angry whispers
Which resonate
In the hollowness
Of my frail feminity
But my own mantras
Which
Drawing on my strength
Become clearer
Louder;
Where
I can feel
Not the stinging stares
Which drool on my body
But the soft petals
Of love
Which caress my being;
Yes
The place
Where
I can live
A living life!

About the Author

Born and raised in Pakistan, Naureen Amjad has been working in the development sector for the last ten years, focusing her energies on various women’s issues. Currently she is hard at work bringing out a new magazine called ‘Citizen Wise’ which will aim to provide a source of continuing education on various concerns surrounding social and women’s issues. Naureen also writes freelance for newspapers on a number of issues offering a female perspective. Contact Naureen at naureen_amjad [at] yahoo.com

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