'Me' Poem by Dr. Insha Iftikhar

I know,
Belonging is a trap
And, the Guardian:
a polite title of the Master.

I know,
To be a rebel,
Is the only way to ‘Be'!

It's been exhausting,
I realise:
To ‘Be';
To be guarded,
I was loved!
Protected.
Choked!

I have to be ‘Me'
Me: a carefree simple girl,
With her head stuck in the
Ivory Tower,
made on the moon.

To be ‘Me'
I had to Be:
A warrior;
Fighting battles of
Words,
Frowns,
And tears.
Only to be
A simple version of ‘Me'.