Temple

CW: 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
Nov 21, 2022