Emma is a lawyer 
And so is Aisha too 
Colleagues going into court 
At circa half past two 

It’s 1 o’clock right now 
They grab a bite before the trial 
They chat about this and that 
Conversing with a smile 

Aisha is in full hijab 
With a loose all over suite 
Emma’s in her business wear 
With accessories tabooed 

Emma’s really quite bemused 
At Aisha’s godly ways 
She looks Aisha in the eyes 
And very firmly says 

You’re a smart girl Aisha 
Why do you wear that across your hair? 
Subjugated by “man” kind 
An object of despair 

Take it off my sister 
Let your banner be unfurled 
Don’t blindly follow all around 
DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM 
TO THE WORLD 

Aisha is amazed 
But not the least bit shy 
She bravely put her milk shake down 
And gives Emma the reply 

My dear sister Emma. 
Why do you dress the way you do? 
The skirt you are wearing round your waist, 
Is it really you?? 

Now that we’ve sat down 
I see you tug your thighs 
Do you feel ashamed? 
Aware of prying eyes? 

I see the way you’re sitting 
Both legs joined at the knees 
Who forces you to sit like that? 
Do you feel at ease? 

I’ll tell you who obliges you 
To dress the way you do 
Gucci, Klien and St. Laurent, 
All have designs on you! 

In the main, it’s men my friend, 
Who dictate the whims of fashion 
Generating all the garb 
To incite the basest passion 

“Sex Sells” there is no doubt 
But who buys with such great haste 
The answer is the likes of you 
Because they want to be embraced…. 

They want to be accepted 
On a level playing field 
Sure, with brain and intellect 
But with body parts revealed 

Intelligence and reason 
Are useful by and by 
But if you want to make a mark 
Stay appealing to the eye 

You claim your skirt is office like 
A business dress of sorts 
Would we not laugh at Tony Blair 
If he turned up in shorts? 

His could be the poshest pants 
Pinstripe from Saville Row 
But walking round like that my friend 
He’d really have to go 
Why do you douse yourself with creams 
To make your skin so milky 
Why do you rip off all your hair 
To keep your body silky? 

A simple shower’s all you need 
To stay respectable and clean 
The time and money that you spend 
Is really quite obscene 

Why do you wake up at dawn 
To apply firm foundation 
Topped with make up and the like 
In one chaotic combination? 

And if you should have to leave the house 
Devoid of this routine 
Why do you feel so insecure 
That you should not be seen 

Be free my sister Emma 
Escape from your deep mire 
Don hijab today my friend 
And all Islam attire 
Avoid all those sickly stares 
Or whistles from afar 
Walk down the street with dignity 
Take pride in who you are 

Strength lies in anonymity 
Be shadow in the crowd 
Until you speak and interact 
When your voice will carry loud 

You’re a smart girl Emma 
Wear this across your hair 
Don’t be subjugated by “man” kind 
An object of despair 

To use your very words my friend 
Let your banner be unfurled 
Don’t blindly follow all around 
DECLARE YOUR FREEDOM TO THE WORLD