For too many Afghan women, their life is one of darkness – no light for laughter and opportunity. This poem says much and one wonders how strong she must to be to still claim her right to light!
A dark life!
A lone girl!
Whose heart only feels pain.
When I think about my life, and the other girls’ lives
It is a huge load on my heart.
Our society does not allow us a chance to progress.
When I think of the future
Everywhere is dark.
This is life’s tradition, a ritual
Fighting against them is the only way
I will stand strongly against all darknesses.
I have come a very long way
Give me a smile?
I am tired of crying
I miss happy times
I miss my mother’s hug
Talk to me … for just a second?
I am new in your land
Hold my hand
Show me the way
I have lots to learn
I have lots to teach my people
Let’s help each other
Bring peace and smiles on faces
I have come a long way
To start my new life
Please talk to me …
I want to fly where birds sing their nicest songs,
where I can hear waterfowl, where it is green all the time,
where flowers smile and butterflies speak.
I want to fly where I can write poems and sing songs,
where dancing is not forbidden.
Evil has gone, embrace the light – she says – she has a point. Will you hold on to fear of the dark or welcome the return of light and work to make it stay?
SHE struggles, hungers, cares, and loves.
SHE is the one for whom we never care.
Purity, honesty, then promises and sacrifices.
SHE is the one about whom we never wonder.
Hard work, talent, then intelligence and power.
SHE is the one about whom we never bother.
SHE helps, supports, gives tenderness. HER role.
SHE is the one for whom we never trouble.
SHE is the one who carries us while we are children,
the hands we have when we want to walk,
the guide for how to grow,
the only shoulder we have to cry on.
SHE is the mother,
the daughter,
the wife,
the sister.
Today is the day to speak of her.
SHE is the ONE we call a woman.
We will rise like a bird in the blue sky of Afghanistan to bring peace
We will shine like a star in the dark sky of Afghanistan to bring brightness
We will rise like a sun to cover the darkness
We will stand like a stable mountain to reach our goals
We will plant like a gardener to raise our children
We will fall like a drop of rain to water our homeland
We will raise our hands to accomplish our dreams
My hope for her is that 10 years from now, someone will say: “Amazing that women were not fully appreciated back then – look at all they have done, now, to move us forward!”
Every day is a good day for me.
I love nature and its beauty,
and I love all people.
I hate war,
I hate conflicts
all around the world.
From the bottom of my heart
I want peace.
I want peace with all human beings
I want to respect each other
and make every day
a lucky day to live
for today
and the next generation.
