Perhaps they are in a social circle
which circumscribes one’s outward demeanor,
rather like the requirement of a hijab.
Perhaps I do not understand what is being shown,
like a monkey peering behind a mirror.
Perhaps it will all be revealed upon marriage,
or the birth of our first male descendant,
or following a blood pact.

So many questions!
“Are you writing a book?”

No. I am trying to understand
what I see before and all around me:
contradictions which are not,
hypocrisies which are healthy,
notions that are false,
behavior which is self-destructive and self-defeating,
smiles which I don’t trust,
and frowns which I do.
And what they think…
when they see me.