Editor’s note: The chader namaz is a large prayer scarf that covers the entire body. The burqa is not required under the present Afghan regime, but due to political instability as well as family and tribal custom, it is almost universally worn in the more conservative parts of the country, and women who might not otherwise be inclined to don it sometimes must do so for personal safety.
My face hidden, I smile,
unseen. It is I,
Afghan woman, under burqa.
I try to be brave, show my presence.
See me; don’t see me, but I am here.
I don’t care how hot it is under burqa.
I am invisible.
I am part of my community.
I am here, Afghan woman
under Taliban burqa.
I cannot use chader namaz—
for I will be recognized,
my life threatened if they know
what I do under burqa.
They will make me stop working,
take my job, my life.
But I am an Afghan woman who wants
to stay safe, continue my fight.
Yes, I am brave under burqa,
enslaved in my generation of war.
Banned from education, my illiterate
sisters cannot work.
Some hide, learn in home-based classes,
work today, still at risk.
Foreign women come to see us,
under burqa, take our picture—
we are interesting, novel for them.
They don’t understand
our burqas are jail and safety made of fabric.
We are hidden beneath blue cloth,
confined, yet secure.
I am Afghan woman, working
under burqa. We are many
and if there is one, we are all
Afghan women.
Insha’Allah, we will one day
remove the burqa.
Yes, it is I, Afghan woman, under burqa—
Remember me.
By Seeta
Seeta Jan,
Such a haunting, powerful poem! You are indeed brave.
Remember that you are brave, that there are others holding thoughts of you in our hearts,,
Seeta
This phrase: “jail and safety.”
So true. Those words are the sad glue that holds this very deep and touching poem together.
Good job. I wish it didn’t have to be written. But it does.
Barbara
Thank you for your powerful poem – there are many of us holding you and all Afghan women in our thoughts – your writing is so important to share with the world – thank you
It has been a while since I visited the site and read your work, Seeta. I am so happy I stopped by and read this. Your description of the burqa as jail and safety — confined yet secure — is a clear and powerful statement to all of us. Your last line is perfect and I think anyone who reads this will always remember your words. Wonderful writing!
Your poem brought tears to my eyes. My heart goes out to you in your struggle. You are brave women — you are our sisters — and please know that you are heard.
Seeta – it is impossible to read your poem and NOT remember you. The burqa as both jail and safety is a powerful image, and one I won’t erase.
You give me a taste of what it is as an Afghan woman to have the two faces of safety under the blue outer visible skin. I have traveled in Afghanistan and sometimes wished to be covered so as a foreigner I would not be stared at. I would like to read your poem when I show my photographs and talk about Afghanistan.
“They don’t understand
our burqas are jail and safety made of fabric.”
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Seeta,
Your poem is beautiful, moving, and haunting, what every poet wants. I especially love the “jail and safety made of fabric” because in those words you captured the puzzle of the burqa, the puzzle of many things that contain their opposite within themselves. Please keep writing. It is a gift to read your words
Thanks,
Sarah
My dear Seeta, Your poem was read to us in a gathering in NYC yesterday. Mostly women and a few teenage girls. We were all so moved. The teens were just as interested in your plight as the adults.
You made me feel what your life is like and I thank you for sharing your life with us. It is important for us to hear from you. You are not forgotten. We are all thinking of you. We are listening. I look forward to reading your writing. Much love to you.
Let me echo Michelle and Sarah: I, too, will always now think of the burqa in terms of both jail and safety. Thank you for sharing this wonderful work.
Echoing Dawn, Barbara, and all of your other commenters as well!
Seeta, this is my first time on this website, and so I am sad and happy at the same time. I am so happy that you are writing! You and others’ beautiful words and feelings keep you afloat, and keep us informed. As much as you feel alone, you are not! Keep writing, and writing, and writing.
What a powerful piece of writing. Thank you. Inhsa’Allah.
A powerfully worded poem, written by a strong woman with or without her burqa. You humble me.
This is a beautiful poem and I hope that you are writing more of them. You are so strong and are certainly not forgotten. Much love to you.