Headscarf

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Acelina Kiyas

 

Stacked in the closet, a medley of colors.

From red to purple to patterns to print,

each a different texture, some so silky they glide through my fingertips,

others grainy and dense.

But all the same weight.

 

Weight of what others will think.

Weight of how to act.

Weight of how to speak,

clings to the fabric.

 

As time goes by, though, the weight of the fabric lightens

because I too change.

 

I no longer care as much what others think.

How they expect me to act

How they expect me to speak.

 

The weight that once trampled me,

replaced with glory.

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Acelina Kiyas is a sophomore intending to major in nutritional sciences. She writes, “I’ve resided in various places throughout my life; however, New Jersey feels the most like my hometown. I’m not much of a poet, but through Professor November’s class I found myself enjoying this medium.