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# Poetry
- URL: https://www.merip.org/1997/12/poetry/
- Published: 1997-12-10T20:25:27.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-29T12:46:23.000Z
- Description: HAJAR IN AMERICA We came over together I spoke no English He had a mission: grad school, then it’s back to save the masses Here I am now with the baby on my hip, alone in Newark, on foot, looking for milk at the all-night Exxon I hear he’s marrying her, the teaching assistant with the frosted hai
- Author: Mohja Kahf
- Tags: MER Article, Poetry, #wp, #wp-post, Issue 205, #Special Reports

## Hajar in America

  
We came over together  
I spoke no English  
He had a mission: grad school, then it’s back to save the masses  
  
Here I am now with the baby on my hip,  
alone in Newark, on foot, looking for milk at the all-night Exxon  
I hear he’s marrying her,  
the teaching assistant with the frosted hair  
  
I have to learn how to drive.  
  
  
## Hijab Scenes #7
  
  
No I’m not bald No I’m not from that country where women can’t drive cars No I would not like to defect. Thank you, I’m already American What else would you like me to explain relevant to my opening a bank account, buying insurance, reserving a seat on a flight? Yes, I speak English Yes I’m legal Yes I carry explosives They’re called words and if you don’t get up off your assumptions, They’re going to blow you away