In response to “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid
Cover your head when you enter the gurdwara—what have your parents taught you; the white
boy is not your boyfriend but just a friend; this is how you suck in your stomach; no pain, no
gain; go to mom if you want to be emotional; you are supposed to understand the subtleties of
the unspoken human language; this is how you smile through pain; this is how you set the
example; try and look pretty; you are falling behind—try to catch up; this is how you hold your
tongue; this is how you let others win; this is how you share with your brother; this is how you
give in to him; this is why you are the badha putt; this is how you let others make their own
mistakes; this is how you break yourself down; this is how you come close to ruining others; this
is how you hide; this is how you make your boundaries known; you are not a blade of grass–do
not bend with the wind; this is how you fix starvation amongst the elderly–humor the old ladies
by answering their questions. Their hearts can’t beat without gossip; don’t let your spirit wilt; if
they don’t want you, they never deserved you; this is how you’re forgotten; this is how you thrive
in the shadows; Jo bole so nihal; wait for your applause–it is coming; Sat sri akal; waiting is
overrated.