She is a Woman Impure
She is a woman impure
Trapped in the cycle of blood
In the chain of years and months
Burning in the fire of lust
Seeking her pleasures
Mistress of the devil
Following his ways
Towards that elusive goal
Which has no route
That meeting of light and fire
Which is so hard to find.
Boiling blood inside her veins
Has torn her breasts,
The thorns on her way
Have severed her womb,
On her body’s shame
There is no shade of sanctity,
But, O gods who rule this earth,
You shall never see
This woman impure
With a prayer on her lips
As a supplicant at your door.
Poem by Fahmida Riaz
Translated by Mahmood Jamal
Fehmida’s portrait courtesy K.B. Abro
Pak Tea House 
DEAR MS-FAHMIDA RIAZ!
GREETINGS OF THE DAY!
SALUTE TO YOURS REMARKABLE POEM,YOU ALWAYS STOOD FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE HUMANITY AND FOR THE WOMEN RIGHTS!
YOU HAD ALWAYS HIGHLIGHTED THE MISERIES OF WOMEN IN OUR SOCIETIES!
HATS OFF TO YOU MAM!
LONG LIVE THE REVOLUTION!
RED SALUTE!
HARRIS
Your poem has shocked me.I don’t know why you insist being like this over a quarter of century.What is this? mistress of devil? You have no idea how this symbolism can be interpreted.
Hats off to you, Fahmida! I can only salute you for your courage and honesty in standing up for yourself as well as the women around you.
It is more frightening than surprising how all religions (which are supposedly a way of life) brainwash their followers in the same manner. Growing up in a Hindu household but with several Muslim friends since birth, I have studied the similarities and the differences (if any) between the two religions. The one shocking observation I came across was – both these major religions are atrociously biased against women!
An atheist by choice, I appreciate your speaking so openly about this. It is no better in Hinduism, or in India. Sometimes I wonder what all the fight between Hindus and Muslims or India and Pakistan is about – we are the same at the core.
I write about women’s rights and the gender inequality prevalant in our society. If you read my blog, you’ll find many stories that may have happened (or actually o happen) in Pakistan just as in India.