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Writer's pictureAnushka Hemnani

Temple

TW: Descriptions of sexual harassment and r*pe.


My body is a temple, they say But now, what do I do? Since they have violated my religion They’ve brought disasters to my holy place

They’ve drawn deep scars in the face of my god

Which city do I burn? Which deity should I blame?

Which faith should I question? How many people do I kill? It’s my religion How should I take revenge? While the world says that I should’ve taken care,

I am at fault, I am at a loss Loss? The world says I am not sure anymore I was violated so I am impure

While I sit here on the ruins of my dignity That was broken not by the man who raped me

But by the people who harassed me With their words Undressed me with their glare And killed me with their blame The blame for bringing it upon myself


While I dwell in a coffin of shame My rapist is wandering about getting bail

While I struggle to look at myself

He has turned another temple into waste.


- Anushka Hemnani

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