I want to be born again,
in a place where there is peace.
I want to born again where I could live more simply;
where I would know the route for my life—
where I would be able to laugh and get excited
to ride a bicycle in the road,
in the rain.
I want to be born again;
and live like a bird, fly over the blue sky
free from every bond.
I want to be a singer
shouting my pain out of my heart.
I want to be a painter with a paintbrush in my hand,
painting the oldest tree of the city,
or a rainbow after rain.
I want to be a poet
disappearing in the world of words,
or in the village with small garden,
with a gray cat lying under sun.
But I know I will not be born again…
I was born in the shadow of war and
I will die in the shadow of war.
By Farida
Photo by Argya Diptya
Farida,
Me, too. I mean, I wish this for you and all your sisters in war. It isn’t fair.
Thank you for this moving and eloquent poem.
Fariday — Your poem is heartbreaking and beautiful — a wish shared by so many. I had tears in my eyes reading your simple desire to laugh and be excited — something we take so easily for granted. I hope that one day peace will be a reality in your country, that you will live to see it — and it will be a rebirth. You will be in my thoughts always. Love and best wishes, Nancy
Dear Farida, Your beautiful poem is filled with imagery of a world that could and should be a reality. Writers like you can bring it about with your words. Your last lines are heartbreaking. Please keep writing and telling the world. –Pat
I wish you could, too, Farida, and I hope you do not die in war, but in peace and freedom.
Dear Farida- this is such a vivid and honest poem. Your desires are simple, and I do believe the brave work you are doing in writing these intentions will bring about a better reality for you and so many other Afghan women. Beautiful work on this poem- I read it with students of mine here in California and they were so very moved and inspired to do all they can to help you and the other AWWP writers to feel powerful and supported.