The Defiant Poets Society

• Artist: Panic Pirate
• Description: Inspiration: "A Thousand Splendid Suns" - Khaled Hosseini and an article in The Times Magazine about Afghan women today (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6149248.ece) I was shocked, disgusted and admiring of the brave women and because I felt so strongly about it: here's a poem.
• Date: 05/21/2009
• Tags: defiant poets society injustice afghan

The Defiant Poets Society

Pluck the prettiest rose from the Garden of Eden
Twist the stem; the silent screams go unheard
Pure petals roughly fingered by undeserving hands
The bruises well obscured by the veil

‘Today, women are free’, the screen shouts through the bars
She doesn’t even own her own body anymore
What is freedom behind the stifling palm of man?
Censoring the poems in which she bares her soul

Once upon a time was much too long ago
Running through poppy fields with a smile
Smile, you’re beautiful; smile, I love you
Smile, and show me your broken teeth and dreams

Standing before the mirror in her wedding dress
Hair dripping; skin coated with gasoline
Tossing the lit match into the hands of fate
A front row seat to her funeral

The gravestone lies about her tragic demise
And cleared her ‘loving husband’ of any wrong
She looks down at him, not in anger, but pity
Reciting the verse of her past life like a song:

"I am caged in this corner / full of melancholy and sorrow...
My wings are closed and I cannot fly..."
(- Nadia Anjuman 1980-2005)

Comments

[Sunafire]

Wow. Just wow.
Seriously the imagery and passion within this poem is breathtaking, especially with the contrast between the fact women are free, and the bars.

One of the best things i've read in ages.

[Panic Pirate]

BTW: Nadia is a stunningly talented Afghani poet who was brutally killed by her own husband and I have nothing but the deepest respect and reverance for her.

This poem isn't her story, but encompasses a worst-case scenario; not all of Afghanistan's women live this way, I just thought I should make that clear.

And no, if you're wondering, I'm not Afghani smile (For the record: I'm Inidan)

Read the article, it makes much more sense that way!
xx