turban tan
means
the mark of my identity
has blossomed
on my skin
means
sun-filled days
have seen me
basking
memories
imprinted
on the flesh
of my brow
but for them
it meant
identity exposed
amidst horrified
flight
a death
sentence
written
in melanin
contrast
culpability
for the death
of a lady
vengeance
unleashed
through the
burning
of blood
they couldn't run
fast enough
hard enough
long enough
no amount
of courage
could change
the course
of those
searing days
brows aside
their sikhi
was bone deep
couldn't be
removed
neither flame
nor bullet
nor blade
could extinguish
the heartbeat of
Your Name