Self Love

By Fasiha Khan

last night

i opened my window

‘Get out’ , i demanded

‘I don’t want you here anymore’

my delusions, insecurities, traumas

stayed quiet in response

then slowly began to leave

as they final one did

i closed my eyes

took of my clothes

let the reality enter

through the walls

               windows

               doors

               floors

               ceilings

in the bath tub

i entered

turning on the tap

elegantly i began to scrub my body 

as i scrubed them

all of them places

the ones touched

by my uncles and cousins

the anxiety

the battle scars

the self harm

the places he used to call beautiful 

and the places I never heard stories of

I called out to them

and listened

all night long

‘It’s okay’ , I said

‘From now on, i’ll treat you

 the way you deserve

By Fasiha Khan