MY LOVE
My love, Your blood is pure gold and your mind is a treasure they will hunt down to kill. You are so much more than you think you are, so much more powerful than you think you will ever be. Tell me darling, why do you doubt the steps you take, the moves you make? Tell me darling, is it because of how they give you the long looks, glinting with lust and danger? Tell me darling, is it because of how they chant so loud that the planets above can hear their demands for you to dress more modestly and walk more timidly as if this world you were born into wasn’t meant for a being as other-worldly as you? My love,
Rudaina
Bangladesh
94
I’ve had my share of the lion’s prey and believe me when I say I’ve walked on tightropes thinner and more frayed than the shawl that they wrapped around my bloodied body. I’ve had them stalk towards me, tall and dark and loud, with a hunger for gold. I’ve felt that familiar churning in my stomach, and my hands turning into fists while blood rushed to my head making me dizzy with anger and a fear that amplified every second. I’ve had them touch me as if I was theirs to own, to touch, to eat. To give pleasure even when it pained me, to stroke egos even when it haunted me. Darling, I’ve been to boardrooms and bedrooms and had my ability to formulate words to defend myself, my body, my existence snatched from me. I’ve had them stuff me with honey dripping words to soothe my craving for freedom and had them give me hopes of stolen dreams and blooming flowers that died within a night. I’ve drank from their poisoned minds and had my back beaten when I dared not to bleed to my death. So have faith in me darling, for I know the curves of the path you’ve been destined to take, all too well. Heed my words my sweetheart, for you will need more than the strength in your fragile heart to overrun the darkness that chases you.
My love, Know that the blood of sorceresses courses through your veins. Know that with one look, you could become the alpha of a pack of wild wolves, salivating for an inch of you. Know that with one blow, you could make them fall to their knees and create a river with their tears, begging for your forgiveness. The steps you take make the earth shake and their audacity of look over your glorious body crumble into pieces of shame. Your nails are sharp, but your wit, sharper. The curves of your body and the desires in your heart are not sins to repent for, but rather weapons. The dreams they showed you then heartlessly broke are yours to glue together with a passion stronger than the winds that blew away your urge to fit in. My love, I’ve had them try to tame the goddess in me. Had them coil around a sharp and shining rope tight around my body, had them try to take away my power to walk to my temple. Had them try to force words down my throat and had them try to doll me up like in their sick fantasies. But when the skies turned black and their bruises turned blue, I’ve had them worship me at my feet, failed thieves of the power we hold. My love, Please never forget - you’re a woman by birth, but a goddess by blood.
95
