تكوين (Composition)
(Composition) تكوين.
Mahum Qureshi
I am from my Mama,
A 48 year old Pakistani immigrant and mother of 3
I am from my brothers,
Two 6’2”, twenty-something year-old basketball stars
I am from makeup,
From every perfectly-curled lash to lusciously-painted lips to sculpted cheekbones
I am from my my hijab,
Armor for a diamond treasure amidst and against all the corruption in this world
I am from Pakistan,
From bhangra dancing at weddings all the way to mango drinks and colorful lehengas
I am from Edwardsville, St. Louis,
My childhood sanctuary that holds memories of homemade water parks and trick-or-treating with Sarah
I am from Islam,
A faith of peace and light that I so proudly follow, my heart swells with joy at its mention
I am from “You’re a terrorist who kills people,”
I shake as I recall the night he clenched his fists as he threatened to beat me if I did not leave his country
I am from Major Depressive Disorder,
My mother’s tears hit her lap as my diagnosis is announced in Northwestern hospital
I am from Mahum Qureshi,
A first generation American, female, Muslim, future registered nurse, ready to give back to her world