THE PLACE OF A WOMAN: Poetry, by Imtiaz Dharker

THE PLACE OF A WOMAN

You must be careful to mouth,

especially if you’re a woman.

A smile is stifled,

with the hem of her sari.

No one must see

your serenity cracked,

even joy.

If you occasionally need to scream,

fault alone,

but in front of a mirror,

where you can see the strange shape

that takes the mouth,

before you rub it on.

(Imtiaz Dharker)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leaving-Fingerprints-Imtiaz-Dharker/dp/1852248491