I could have spent my time - like all other women in the world - In front of the mirror admiring my reflection *** I could have sipped coffee In the warmth of my bed And chatted over the phone for hours and hours Not feeling the passing of time *** I could have busied myself donning make-up Applying kohl Being coquettish Lying under the sun to tan my skin Dancing on the waves like all nymphs *** I could have busied myself Putting on adornations of turquoise and rubies Strutting like a queen *** I could have done nothing Read nothing Written nothing Devoted my time to seeking the limelight .. To the latest fashions .. To travelling the world .. *** I could have avoided refusal Avoided being full of rage, Or shouting in the face of the tragedy .. *** I could have swallowed the tears Swallowed the repression Grown resigned to imprisonment *** I could have Avoided the questions of History And escaped the self torture *** I could have avoided The sighs of all the down-trodden people, The cries of all the crushed people, The revolt of the thousands who have died. But I betrayed the law of the female And chose to grapple with words!