I apologize not because I am a weak person,
or because I am shy,
or powerless,
or immature,
or poor.
I apologize not because it makes me less than I am…
I apologize because I am strong!
Because I believe in humanity
and because I have self confidence
and because I am sick of sin.
I apologize because my life is full of dreams
and because I want to see everyone happy
I apologize because apology is a way of ending hostility
and because my heart is full of love
and because I want to make the world a peaceful place —
A place full of love and forgiveness.
By Sitara
This work was supported by the Fetzer Institute.
A fantastic poem, Sitara. To apologize *is* to be strong. I especially appreciate this stanza:
“I apologize not because it makes me less than I am…
I apologize because I am strong!
Because I believe in humanity
and because I have self confidence
and because I am sick of sin.”
Thank you for speaking up and sharing these profound thoughts, declarations!
Stacy
Dear Sitara,
You are, indeed, strong. It takes a self confident person to apologize. The world will be a peaceful place when more people apologize because their hearts are full of love. Your poem is beautiful. Please keep speaking out.
Therese
Dear Sitara,
Would that children all over the world were taught this poem in school! You have written something not only beautiful, but healing.
Thank you!
Jeannie
Sitara, this is such a beautiful poem! So often, people think apologising is a sign of weakness, but you’ve illustrated that humility is actually strength – something that is desperately needed in this day and age. Please keep writing and sharing.
Dear Sitara,
I love your poem not only for its rhythm but also for its profound meaning. Honestly speaking when I first read the poem I thought it would be a little bit doleful. Contrary to my thought, the poem reflected vivacity and an amazing strength. You apologize not because you are “weak”, “shy” or “poor”; you apologize because you want to speak to those who sin that you have become sick of all the guilt they create. I like how you show the world apology is a way to “end hostility” between people. And I admire the fact that you are speaking on behalf of many other Afghanistan women who wish to voice their thoughts against the suppression from which they suffer.
Everybody wants to make the world “a place full of love and forgiveness” as you have mentioned. I truly believe that it is possible as long as there are people like you in our society.
Thank you for the beautiful poem. Please keep up with your writing.
Dear Sitara:
I really enjoyed your poem. I love the fact that you talk about something as small but powerful as apologizing: the ability of accepting your mistakes or even being more humble than the other person. Apologizing doesn’t mean you are weak or wrong, sometimes it means that you are the greater person accepting a mistake or stopping a feud. If people can understand the power of apologizing they will respect each other. I love the way you express the power of a simple “apology”. Saying sorry makes you stronger not weaker, rich not poor, and its the mature thing to do.
Sitara,
I really love this poem of yours! I am a very apologetic person and I saw it as a sign of weakness. Whenever i didn’t feel comfortable or anything that I felt i needed apologized. Even my old managers told me it was a flaw of mine, showing weakness. But after reading your poem, it helped me realized it is not weakness! It is strength, I’m coming clean about something I did wrong, or confronting that this is now how I am. Thank you!
This is such a positive poem. Your so strong and confident 🙂
This is a beautiful empowerment to women and children around the world who sometimes or constantly feel as if hope is a non-existent idea which only those who’re naive aspire for. It helps those who are always apologising for things which are not their fault warmth and hope to carry on. It allows them to believe that their apologies are not just words with no meaning, but tools used to help create peace and love.
This is really a Powerful poem, Thank you very much my dearest. Please keep your nice poems.
The moment I read this, it became one of my favorite poems. Completely love it.