Taking the veil off

• Mahi Khan, Grade 9
• Short Story
• 2004

The veil, it covers all her face,
I wonder, what is she tring to hide?
Is it a scar, a mark, a past?
What could exist inside?

But now I see something emerging
I wonder, what could it be?
A light in this dark world of hers?
Perhaps an identity?

The veil, I finally tear it off and
I can't believe what I am seeing
It's beautiful, elating-
Nothing less than a human being.

The "veil" is now a friend's hijab,
For I realized later in reflection
What separated us was not a veil
but prejudice and misconception.