Defying Perceptions

I see a niqabi

I think she’s oppressed

I get to know her

Find I’m impressed

I see a scantily clad

I think she’s glad

Get to know her

Find she’s sad

Defy perceptions, not judge

A soul lives

Behind each dress

In joy and times of stress

I see a scraggly beard

Feel it an eyesore

He’s the only one though

With eyes on the floor

And the smart clean shaven

I admire the suit

What’s inside

It could be soot

Need to defy perceptions

Think out of the box

Najma Ansari

July 3, 2016/Ramadhan 27, 1437

Johannesburg

Najma's Notebook