my tongue is ready to

fall off —

so often have i had to

bite it.

not these words,

not that tone,

not so loud,

not too angry.

my face must be

pretty

enough

but not too much

make up,

i must not stand out.

my body is a battleground:

‘culture’

puts pants upon legs after work,

‘tradition’

shackles them in

chupa

5 days a week.

skirts,

not allowed.

shorts,

absolutely scandalous!

pants must not be

too tight.

come to dharamshala

and lose wars.

swallow your words,

always smile,

wear your ‘good girl’ badge.

scream.

– Kaysang.

– The Tibetan Feminist Collective