Afghan Woman - by Mursal, age 16
by Kara-Amena | November 27, 2012 at 1:23 PM
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Mursal is an Afghan teenager living in Pakistan. She is a bright, sensitive, introspective young lady who I am proud to call a friend. She shared this sad and powerful poem with me yesterday and agreed to let me share it on World Pulse's Ending Violence Against Women Campaign.
- Afghan Woman
If I wish to fly!
Why am I caught like a butterfly?
I wish to learn
I am forced to earn
I was born to care
And was left to fear
For rights I must fight
My silence is your might
My world was all indoors
You willed for me to die outdoors
Why so cruel is the world??
All was claimed is just a word
Tortured, tortured ‘n tortured
Harassed, harassed ‘n harassed
No respect, no sense, no love
Why was I created to love?
Is the world a real hell?
Or did my existence fail?
~Mursal Koshani
Afghanistan, age 16
This story was written for World Pulse’s Ending Violence Against Women Digital Action Campaign.
World Pulse believes that women's stories, recommendations, and collective rising leadership can—and will—bring an end to gender-based violence. The EVAW Campaign elicits powerful content from women on the ground, strengthens their confidence as vocal grassroots leaders, and ensures that influencers and powerful institutions hear their stories.
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Comments
Thought provoking
In the midst of desperation we often question our basic existence. Loving rather than hating brings joy and peace to one's life despite the turmoil surrounding you. The person who can find love in the midst of hate is an incredible human being.
“Women have a special capacity to lead us to a more peaceful world with compassion, affection and kindness. And there is no more important time for that than this moment.” - Dalai Lama
Agreed
I agree with you Denise! And fortunately, Mursal is a young woman who is full of love. One of the most kind and gentle people I know.
Thank you for sharing this
Amazing and beautiful. Full of such inspiration. I pray for such a talented young woman to find peace.
Thank you
Thank you Tori Lynn! At the moment we're working to find a scholarship for Mursal to study high school in the U.S. It will be a wonderful opportunity for her to spend the last couple years of her childhood in a peaceful and secure environment. Education is the most important thing to her. She really is an inspiration!
Great Poem!
Hi Kara-Amena,
Thank you so much for being a part of the WorldPulse community and sharing this amazing poem. Please let Mursal know that she is very talented writer. Also, please tell her that she is not alone and that I have her in my thoughts and prayers and that I know she is a strong young lady who will make it trough this tough time to better days.
Kara-Amena--thank you for being an advocate for others, please continue your wonderful work.
All my best,
Mila
Thanks Mila
I appreciate your kind words, Mila! I will send Mursal a link so she can read the nice comments from everybody. I also encouraged her to join the site. She is a passionate writer. And you're right - she is a strong young lady! One that I am very happy to know.