In our house
I can’t go to school like my brother,
But I know my parents love me too.
I have to wait till my brother eats so I can eat what remains;
But they do love me too.
I ride my brother’s bicycle—secretly,
But they do love me too.
I am not the one who gets new toys.
But they do love me too.
I can’t have friends and go outside;
But they do love me too.
My world starts and ends in a kitchen—everyday
But they do love me too.
They hide me whenever there is a guest.
But they do love me too.
I love our house and my brother.
My brother lets me clean his room and look at his books
He always leaves half of his food for me
He teaches me to bike when no one is home
He tells me the stories of outside
He always leaves half of his food for me
I know my parents love me too
And I do love them.
By Masooma
Photo by Sarah Menzies/Afghan Cycles
A beautifully written poem of long and longing and about the power of a siblings that care for one another. Thank you for this gem, Masooma.
There is so much feeling in this poem, Masooma. So much love. I feel it. But also that pain of love when there are constraints. There is love and there is injustice. Your poem does such a good job of showing that just because there is injustice doesn’t mean there isn’t love. But there is a tilt. And there is pain. Thank you for writing this and sharing with us as you have. Stacy
Beautiful and tells a very impactful story. The Author of love showed us it can be given abundantly without question of what gender you are. You are right. You are very loved by many who have never met you!
masooma, you have so much love and patience, an inspiration to me. please continue to write.
Dear Masooma
I loved your writing it was awsome. It had so much emotion and made me cry.
Best of luck