![](https://www.theseventhwave.org/wp-content/uploads/ChammaNehmeh-1140x489.jpg?x50507)
This is a Body
This is a body
You can touch me
I am organic matter
moving constantly.
Sometimes you let me be.
I breathe and smell and rot.
Sometimes you interfere.
I break and burn in the sun,
but sometimes, you watch me
run.
These are raindrops, or planets seen from a distance.
Do not mistake them for footsteps, or birthmarks.
These are real. Touch them.
Mistake them for errors, or scars.
I do not want to break
my face in half.
I shy away from the dying
of desire.
Tell me I am still
beautiful to you.
I will smile
until you do.
![Headshot of Farah Chamma](https://www.theseventhwave.org/wp-content/uploads/fchamma.jpg?x50507)
Farah Chamma is a Dubai-born Palestinian spoken word poet. She performs multilingual poetry, mainly in Arabic, English, and French.
Edited by Zeina Abi Assy.
![Headshot of Myriam Nehmeh](https://www.theseventhwave.org/wp-content/uploads/mnehmeh.jpg?x50507)
Myriam Nehmeh is a Lebanese photographer based in Dubai. She runs mashrou3_suwar, a photography project on Facebook and Instagram.
Featured image courtesy of the artist.
![](https://www.theseventhwave.org/wp-content/uploads/ChristieTate-75x75.jpg?x50507)
![](https://www.theseventhwave.org/wp-content/uploads/TBGrennan-75x75.jpg?x50507)