Sehra Aggarwal​, Grade 12
UWCEA Arusha​

She walks with her hair open 
Yet mine is closed 
My legs too are covered 
Yet hers are exposed 

He wears what he wants
Yet I wear all white 
I drink only water 
While he drinks alcohol all night 

I feel trapped in a box while they are all free
Tell my why Allah, Guru and Jesus did you have to choose me 

My friend Raj laughs at me 
Because I don’t eat pork 
Because my legs are covered 
And because I don’t go out 
Tell me why Allah did you have to choose me 

My friend Rashida makes fun of me
Because I don’t eat meat 
Because my culture requires me to sing 
And because I wear shiny clothes 
Tell my why Guru did you have to choose me

I like this boy 
But he is different 
He dresses in Shuka 
I’ve liked him forever 
Yet my dad says we can’t be together 
Tell me why Jesus did you have to choose me 

We are born free
Why does culture decide what I be
We all have the same blood
Yet I struggle to be me