Beauty is in the details

By TC Vu (UD 2013)

1. [As you read this poem, imagine students visiting the huge, exquisite, gleaming-white marble Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, with a gaggle of young Emirati women students showing a gaggle of UD student women (including Christians and Jews), struggling to don stark, black abayas (gowns) and shaylas (headscarves) which are required for women to enter the mosque.]
   

 

the slipping and falling -

 

of figures

of fabric

of fictitious flimsy fancies.

 

furtive glances,

to make sure we look as uncomfortable as we feel.

the hesitation in front of the mirror

flitting of wide eyes,

to stare at the stranger staring back

hushed whispers

 

"... how do they wear this everyday?"

"... just get so angry..."

"... I mean, I could never..."

 

truth be told, these thoughts have echoed in my mind too.

in awe, anger, admiration, and anxiety in the unknown

 

wearing the abaya and shayla...

to school, to the mall, to dinner, to the airport,

and more importantly

what happens when you go to the bathroom?

no, really - I'm curious.

 

my hands gingerly finger the black material,

alternance entre -

smoothing and grasping.

a stumble and a hop, as we straighten and re-adjust

like newborns.

 

a dilation of pupils as black figures emerge into white brilliance.

a smile transpires as we laugh, joke, and take pictures

comfortable in our shared discomfort.

 

truth be told, we envy your grace in the abaya's and shaylas

truth be told, we quickly immerse - awash in a transformation

 

not disingenuously asking questions

intrigued by this new-found identity

still foreigners in an alien costume,

but content with sharing this bit of your life.

assimilation.

 

distinguished only by the attention to detail -

 

delicate lace,

gemstone designs,

trimmed in color,

cuts, angles, and ties

a balance of sheers and shadows

 

if you look closely,

you'll notice;

 

Coach purses,

Louis Vuitton handbags

and the occasional Fendi wristlet.

 

a digital SLR camera,

slung carelessly over one shoulder,

an iPhone in the other hand taking an instagram

 

peep-toe shoes and bright leggings

henna tattooed hands

 

mischievous intent

hidden behind demure smiles

quick laughter with light sarcasm

biting comments with thinly-veiled skepticism

 

their vibrant personalities -

arguably their most lethal accessory

 

carefully manicured hands

balancing elegant sunglasses

that cover smoky eyes

 

these women are beautiful.

what lies underneath is the same...

their abaya's and shaylas that fail to cover themselves,

in the most important ways.

 

what's more important - what is within and what is shallow?

what should we value - pride in culture or vanity in fashion?

 

but let's not jump to conclusions -

it's not necessarily a question of freedom, religion, or culture

nor an emphasis on the individual or self expression

 

the question

 

if we were to choose;

whether or not to wear the abaya and shayla...

would we choose the abaya and shayla?

 

truth be told,

 

the answer

 

"maybe"

just not with the Emirati heat.

1. ‣Home
   

2. ‣UAE Visit
   

3. ‣US Visit
   

4. ‣Reflections 1
   

5. ‣Reflections 2
   

6. ‣Photos

In the desert town of Hatta, UD and U.A.E. students explored Emirati culture, bedouin history, and religion.

A visit to the Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi was the inspiration for the poem at left. All women were required to don abayas and shaylas to enter the mosque.

Later in the week, some students added elaborate henna designs to their souvenirs of the weeklong program in the United Arab Emirates.

Photos: Ralph Begleiter