Dress by Sami Rhymes Spoken Word Poet

I’m quite tomboyish so I must confess
that I weren’t too keen on the idea of wearing a dress. 

After all we’re living in the West

so when I hear the word dress

I can’t help but think of a garment that’s been designed to show legs, arms and chest.

But don’t get me wrong.
I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with this type of dress.
It’s just a case of who does and doesn’t get to see me in this type of dress.

After all it’s my body and my assets
so it’s only right that I have control over the eyes that get to lay theirs upon this.

And yes, as girls we like to dress to impress
and that’s bless.
So long as I’m doing this in the privacy of my home.
For myself for the hubby, family or even for a girl’s night in.

I guess you could say we’re a bit like stereos
Here to be heard and listened to
not watched like these chicks you see in music videos 

and in fashion magazines all these size zeroes. 

They’re far from being my role models.

I look up to those preserving their modesty. 

Covering from head to toe in a long loose sheet. 

You can’t even tell whether or not I’ve got meat 

cos face and hands are the only thing that’s visible. 

Only showing what’s permissible

 in the presence of mandem

that are not mahram, I must observe this hijab.

Firstly, cos it’s a request from my rabb
and its purpose is not to burden me
rather it’s to help me preserve my modesty.

And honestly
there’s not much difference between the dress of a nun and me.
As for face veiling that existed long before Islam and Christianity 

Yet the Islamic dress alone has caused so much controversy.

They say the dress we wear is taking away our liberty
and the ability to dress free.
Well I say, what Sarkozy started up in France is taking the liberty.

God created me so He knows what’s best for me.
No doubt we’re all different but if we all dress similarly then at least there’s some sort of equality.
And I know for a fact that I ain’t the only one who agrees with this methodology.
I mean all we have to do is look across our society.
We all attain to some sort of dress to establish identity. 

Now whether it be walking on the streets blacked out
or dressing to impress for a night out
the dress that we wear
sends out a message to those keeping an eye out.

But what makes me wile out
is the fact that even though this dress stands out

 a lot of people are unaware of what it’s all about.

They just want to stare at us like we’re fresh or we’ve just come out of a mad house.

Well, just to clarify, I’m not a freshy.
My passport's red.
I’m a Londoner, practically born and bred 

and I speak English very well as you can tell.

I’m educated and got a personality as well.
Laugh and joke like most other girls.
So even if my outer garment is a little different from the rest.
I urge you to look a little deeper
because there’s still a big character and soul underneath this dress.

Sami Rhymes is a spoken word poet & published author who also works in project management and as a creative coach. London based and raised. Sami had her first poem published at the age of 9 and has contributed poems to other publications since. 2020 marked the release of her debut poetry collection 20 Something and the audiobook is due to be released on its one year anniversary.

Sami has performed, slammed, and headlined at a number of public and private events in London and abroad. She has featured on local radio and made her poetry TV debut on the Sky Arts commissioned show Life & Rhymes, hosted by the legendary Benjamin Zephaniah. Sami uses rhyme as a means of release and therapy. Through her spoken word, she inspires people in her community to speak up and take action; often addressing taboo topics.