I am a little bride
Born in a place where my voice shouldn’t be heard
A place that claimed ownership of me
I am a body that broke under the price you put on it
My dreams, my rights, my dignity, my life
I am an object that is sold
My heart ignored
A thing to be broken
Like thousands of girls, I am caged
Like thousands of girls, I must commit suicide
Because there is no one to support me
I lost my way in this place
Where no light shines
This place where I suffocate
Forgotten
Look at me, just once. Don’t turn
Your eyes away
Look at me.
I am innocent
Give me my rights
Take my hand and release me from this silence
Don’t cover my sad face with makeup
I am a girl, God-gifted
I have a heart
By Nahid W.
Artwork is by the author.
This is a heartbreaking poem (illustrated perfectly with your sketch) that leaves me sad and angry about the many “heart(s) ignored.” It needs to stop and dreams, rights, dignity — and life itself — should be what all women are allowed. No one should have to feel that suicide is the only option in opening the cages in which they are kept. May God’s gifts to the world — women — in Afghanistan (and around the world) take their rightful place in society soon. Nancy
Thank you dear Nancy Antle 🙂
Nahid, what a powerful poem of anguish. I hope you do not commit suicide and instead find the support you need in the Afghan Women’s Writing Project. When I think of all the women in history who have been traded like cattle and forced to do the lowliest work, it reminds me of my own good fortune and my obligation to pay it forward.
Dear Sarah i don’t mean that i do commit suicide ,i convey my voice to those women who try to do this ,i convey them that they are not alone ,we are with them and through our poem we want to bring change , but change does not came it self ,it’s we it’s you it’s all of us who walk together and bring that change ,so let’s be that change and make sure this world gives the human rights to every girl 🙂
I loved this poem Nahid. Don’t stop writing ever!
With love
Pari
thank you Pari jan