I don’t want to go to the mosque
only women may walk
around in gold and silk
ustad says
when he caresses my ears
my Arabic teacher
calls me his gazelle
my little cypress
and forces me to do in secret
what I wish to do in public
dance around in a dress and bare feet
on gold-brocaded rugs
and serve wine and mint tea
to married men
with henna-dyed beards
in exchange for compliments kisses on the cheek
fennel seeds and figs
