A Woman’s Day

Lurking behind that piercing gaze,

a monster looms within.

Shred by shred it rips her dress,

that’s how her days begin.

She sits not close to him,

a glance is all he steals.

Far away she may well be,

farthest from safe she feels.

No matter where she goes

no matter where she stays,

In every nook she finds

waiting, that ghastly gaze.

Long after she comes home,

solace she cannot find.

Could tomorrow be different,

could all of them go blind.

She feels the filth despite

having neither wronged nor sinned.

She feels the ogling stares

still crawling on her skin.

Could be worse she’s told;

thank God and do not cry,

thank God you weren’t raped.

She questions; wasn’t I?

Zafar Sahi