People say be kind and nice.
Don’t be rude.
People like and need your goodness.
I have grown up with this mentality.
But are those who need my goodness actually good themselves?
Why am I the only one making sacrifices?
I heard helping others would make me feel good.
So why am I unhappy?
Being innocent can hurt.
People use other people to their advantage.
Is it worth breaking a heart?
Isn’t it the heart that is priceless?
We can find so many broken hearts in this big world.
In this big world people value money, status, and buildings.
They think these are better than heart, emotions, and feelings.
When they don’t care, why should you?
Be nice to people but do not make your kindness their habit.
When you stop, you will be accused.
You will be called the worst person in this universe.
This is what the world has taught innocent me.
By Farahnaz R.
The writer is a student abroad. Photo by Thomas Hawk.
Dear Farahnaz,
Your poem portrays a situation that so many girls and women live through as they go out into the world. It is a real difficulty! As you express so well here, “I heard helping others would make me feel good.” The deception is cruel, isn’t it?
There is a difference between being nice and letting others take advantage of you. Sometimes it’s hard to know where one stops and the other starts, but you need to be sure that you don’t sacrifice things that you hold dear, and that you don’t sacrifice your own opportunities to others.
Thanks very much for your poem! Keep writing!
Alice
Dear Farahnaz
Totally true, it is the fact that always girls should be good, kind and…
Well said, Farahnaz. I am not as “nice” as I was when I was young. I’m not mean, either, but I am more comfortable setting boundaries. Bravo to you. Do what you think is right, and you still will be able to be kind.
This is a very powerful poem, Farahnaz. It is a terrible feeling–to be open and kind and to then feel taken for granted, or worse, that someone believes you owe them the very best of you. I know personally I don’t react well when I feel taken for granted–most people don’t. You have articulated the problem very well here. Stay strong. I hope that that those who are lucky enough to receive your kindness know how to appreciate it! Stacy
Dear Farahnaz:
Thank you for writing this poem!
You have pictures life of Afghan girls and women in a clear way, your poem is powerful, sad and very true.
I love the last line: This is what the world has taught innocent me, is so beautifully written but painful to read, difficult to understand for other people out side Afghanistan.
In my idea this is not a lesson that the world taught me and you, this is our identity that is not made by us but by our families, society and our religious beliefs. I hope that things change for the better for Afghan women, me and you can bring the change by writing dear Farahnaz!