The Bride

After Emi Mahmoud

“And apologize for the things our fathers taught us through our mother's mouths” —Emi Mahmoud

We give birth to future wedding days / not daughters /

Braid their hair and whisper their duties into their ears /

Mark the calendar / not the milestones /

Rub extra shea butter into their hands and feet /

Smooth for when the day comes and the henna has to dry /

There are rules for being born a wedding day /

If you wear white it means purity /

And it will cloak the tears / if you must cry /

Bend over in a position like ruku’u /

The water will fall directly on the floor /

Mustn't ruin the makeup / but remember /

This is not about prayer / it’s about bending /

By Sadiyah Bashir