anti-depressant Dear Beejay,

Thanks for your comments. A poem is a poem. what does this have to do with having outlets for lesbians? I am not sure I understand where you are coming from. In any case, I am sure you are not totally oblivious to the gay movement in Delhi and Bombay? There are a bunch of organizations that work on such issues, so in Inida one finds outlets which are more organized than in Pakistan.

Regarding your comments about the editors at Chowk. I totally agree. I had to fight with them to get this piece in and that too with some changes. It amazes me that when one talks about creative and free expression they are not totally clear about what that should entail. Yes, the readers should not be protected from anything that is too jarring, critical, harsh, open or raw. This is precisely why the middle class morality rules supreme in the sub-continent. When i told the editors that i was not willing to tone the poem down, they thought i was brave. I wondered what that meant. Why did they call me that for something as simple as saying that I would like my piece to be published as is or not. and who was out to get me?

anti-depressant Dear Beejay,
No that is not what the poem is all about. The original title of the poem was ``anti-depressant for a Butch``. The editors at chowk did not like it and asked for it to be changed. The poem is about a butch lesbian who has the hots for a ``straight`` woman who uses her for her pleasure. The butch lesbian feels some resentment because the woman is straight, but also feels that the pain she feels inside her can be pacified by the woman so she hangs on to her nonetheless.

Let me know if you think differently of the poem. I was also asked by the editors to tone the poem down a little, but i wanted so see what people`s reactions would be to something raw.
fatimah

anti-depressant Why are people so averse to jarring and harsh lines, may i ask? though life is benevolent in many ways, it is not always soft and rosy. I chose to look at it from this lens. Comments?

On the Inside very apologetic!

On the Inside very apologetic!

20 Worst Pakistani Pop Songs … ever! Amazing how you (NFP) have devoted so much time and energy to these songs that you think are so terrible. While i do agree that most of these songs are bad, half of them i have not even ever heard, it would be nice for you to come down from your starry pedestal and be more humble. Who sponsors you anyway?

The First or the Last Letter simple yes, beautiful yes, but there is not enough umph!

The First or the Last Letter simple yes, beautiful yes, but there is not enough umph!

The First or the Last Letter simple yes, beautiful yes, but there is not enough umph!