(Editor’s note: Afghanistan’s poppy crop is so extensive that it supplies about 90 percent of the world’s opium.)
I hate you, poppy.
You have ruined my life
You took my happiness
You made me addicted
When I made friends with you
I lost my intellect, my talent, my knowledge of myself
You took my fresh face and made it ugly
You made me live alone
Everyone hates me
And I hate you, poppy.
The first time I met your flowery face
I did not know that your real face is dark poison
Your red face sips human blood
Your white face empties the human mind of wisdom.
Your purple face creates insanity.
You have hidden sides that destroy peoples’ lives.
My life.
You transmitted your poisons into my blood
You sapped my energy
I hate you, poppy.
Who can separate a person from his family?
Who can take away a family’s shelter?
Who can teach a person to beat his wife and children?
To steal money from his family?
You, poppy.
You are a human enemy.
The first time people meet you, they like you.
But I hate you, poppy.
You have destroyed my life
And replaced my house with ruin and garbage
Now I pass nights and days in the streets
Children make fun of me
I can’t clean my body
I can’t comb my hair
Now I look brutal
You destroyed my mentality
Made my life one of risk
You are not a friend of health.
You are my enemy
I hate you, poppy.
By Freshta
This is an excellent poem, Freshta. I really like the repeating refrain of “I hate you, poppy.” and how you wrote this from the point of view of an addict. Very well done!
This is very powerful & to the point! Great job! I really appreciate the writing you ladies are doing & the unimaginable courage it must take to do it. I listened to your stories in Los Angeles & was very moved by them. We hear you & we support you!
Thank you Freshta,
If it were not for you we would really never know the truth or feel the emotion.
What you are doing counts.
Dear Freshta jan,
You are an amazing writer!! Thank you so much for sharing your poems and stories with us. I love them all. Good luck with your future and I wish you all the best in your life.
Best,
Zoe
This poem has real feeling in it. Thank you.
Just by telling your story, the people who live in other countries can understand some of the problems in Afghanistan. Our country has similar problems, but you put it out there, very plainly, what happens when people become addicted to drugs. I hope your life becomes better for it, and wish you much luck and happiness in the future. Women everywhere stand behind you and understand your plight. Thank you.
I love the power of this poem. It speaks to the pain of addiction, and how it takes us away from everything and everyone we love. Thank you so much for writing this. I hate opium, too. And all drugs that steal our humanity and dignity.
Wow! I was very moved by your poem.
Hello: i write you from Chile…i know, maybe you even dont know where is Chile! Is a little country located in Southamerica who recently have a big earthquake and tsunami. It was, for many people in this country, like a bomb or a war…medias use this names and people feel like that. After reading your testimony, your words i appreciatte not only the facts but your style in writing. I’m journalist so i love shorts sentences and direct style. You move me so much that i’m here writing this commentary. I hope you continue to write about your feelings, your thoughts and your ordinary life (wich is not ordinary, i know)…Courage!!
Thank you for sharing this poem with us. You are fantastic…please keep writing!