Veiled

The veil once protected
her from leering men
who longed to weave
plaits into her hair,
kiss her eyelids, make
her cry in their beds.

Thick with age,
eyes trail her no more.

Her dreams now are about
rugs to be made,
braided with care
in greens and blues,
to be laid on a floor
where longed-for lovers
will tread, but never ever will join her.

Pris Campbell
©2004

Art: Street shot in Alexandria, Egypt

Note: Wearing of the Veil had become less common in Egypt until the past five years. Now it's seen as a statement of commitment to culture and religion, much of this in reaction to the attempted imposition of American Culture. My source on this is a close friend from Cairo. 

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