If I were a girl,
I’d continue my education until high school.
It depends on whether I would’ve been a good student.
I’d have a curfew, for sure.
I wouldn’t stay out late,
Nor go out alone.
I’d wear loose clothes,
And I’d wear the hijab.
I wouldn’t wear pants at all.
I probably wouldn’t be happy then.

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It’s my cousin’s engagement party today.
If I were a girl,
One of my parents would surely tell me what to do and what not to do.
“Don’t joke around with that guy.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Don’t get up.
Stay with me.”
“That guy’s looking at you.”
“That guy’s trying to do whatever.”

----
I don’t need a higher education.
Any kind of diploma would be enough.
Nursing, for example.
I’m going to get married anyway,
So travelling and working would be difficult.
I’d be mindful of what I wear.
My clothes would have to be modest,
Because of where I live.
I’m not going to work, of course.
If I were a girl,
I would’ve been married by now.
Girls get married off at a young age in the countryside.

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I’m imagining what it’d be like to be a girl in this day and age.
What really got to me were the things people would say about me.
I’d wear the hijab,
And my regular clothes.
If I were to walk down the street as a girl,
I’d hear comments from people I normally never receive.
I’d be verbally harassed,
By the most disgusting comments.

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If I were a girl,
I’d be well-mannered.
I’d wake up early every day.
I’d read,
And hang out with my neighbor.
I’d prepare dinner,
And make sure to cook the things my family likes.
I’d also make sure the house is tidy.
If someone didn’t make their bed,
I’d make it for them.
If I were a girl,
I’d be very annoyed, to be honest.

----
I can’t look at someone I find attractive in the street.
I could just glance at them,
Or stare at the ground.
There’s no staring at him or anything like that.

If I were a girl,
I’d try to hide from men.
I’d try to stay away from them.
That’s what they do in the countryside.
If a woman walks past some men,
She covers her face.
People can’t see her face.
That’s how it is over there.
I’d walk with my head low all the time,
Until I reach my destination.
That way no one will dare say that I’m not well-mannered,
And men will find me more attractive.
“She’s a well-mannered girl.
Where does she live?
We want her.”

----
I don’t think I’d be able to put up with the harassment,
And annoying behaviors girls are subjected to.
If I were a girl,
My mental health would be at risk.

I wouldn’t be comfortable if I were a girl.
I’d feel restrained.
I don’t like it when someone tries to restrain me.
I like to do whatever I want.
I like my freedom.

----
I’m a man,
So I’m allowed to stand in a corner,
And stare at anyone I like.
No one can stop me.

----
If I were a girl?
It’s a strange thing.
I’ve never been in this situation before.
I can’t.
I can’t say anything.
I’m too embarrassed.
I could hear someone else talk about it,
But it can’t come from me.

Men are proud to be men,
And women are proud to be women.
Why, then, should I imagine myself as a woman?
The idea itself is unnatural.
It’s in my nature to avoid anything that belittles me in any way.

People will go like,
“How could he say that?”
“Are you pretending to be a woman?”
I know that this is something that will never happen.
But I don’t want anyone to think it might be true.
I don’t want to be accused of anything.