O That, I Was Not Princess Latifa! Poem by Sahil Sharifdin Bhat

Shoot me dead here, O Indian soldiers;
send me not back to that stifling palace,
That emotionless king and loveless home.
Set me free from that forced marriage
Performed in the famous Burj khalifa.
Let me run away a thousand miles
From that rich cruel king, my father.


O that, I was not princess Latifa!
I wish I was born in a poor hut!
Take away my jewellery and royal name.
Take away my palace and treasures.
Take away all my royal days.
Take away all that makes me princess. But, let me live a day of freedom.
Let me live a day of true joy.



A princess is nothing but a caged bird,
A born slave or a helpless prisoner.
Honour, , blood, rank and royalty-
For these empty and hollow bubbles,
All my cherished dreams were dashed;
All my just desires were suppressed;
All my freedom was ruthlessly snatched.
Take all I have, I do not care.
Only let me live my life my way!
Only let me breathe in some fresh air!