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

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