By Aysha B.

While the Taliban may appear human, they don’t know the word humanity. Do not be fooled by their looks. They wear white clothing to hide their sins and black to show they understand the dark side of life. But their favorite color is red. They want to see the color of blood everywhere.

With their red eyes, they look at people as victims, and don’t care about gender, age, or innocence. They only see the people they intend to kill, one by one. The Taliban sniff the blood of innocent mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, kids and more…

By Sharifa A.

Life is a race everywhere
If you don’t run
You will lose it forever

But we Afghans are not in a race
We are in an unknown battle
Battle of ignorance
Battle of playground for others

Our enemies and friends act kindly
We are confused
It’s hard to tell the difference

Some help us in front of the media
To show humanity still exists
To show their honor to us and the world
To show they care for innocent people

But in the background
They run the war
They are the opposition

Our people have lost consideration
Unsure of who is enemy or friend
We only seek peace
We are tired of war and fighting
Let the battle end

By Sahel Rezaei, Translated by Asadullah Jafari Pezhman

Silence has taken root in your body Kabul
No longer do you arise in your mornings
Your sky is covered with the bloody dawn of death
Your deserts are full of tearful images Kabul
I am every night and every day impatient for you
Oh! How can I come to see you Kabul?
You were bitterly handed over to the Taliban
Again, your fans are disappointed by you Kabul
The world decided your destiny
What happened to all your men and women Kabul?
Under your Chadri was hiding a mountain of pain
But your wail and groan had no effect Kabul
You did not bend after all to these sorrows
It’s impossible to ignore your praising Kabul

by Mohammad Zaki Zaki

Everything
My expectations
My visions
Meeting hilarious friends
Jokes and excitements
Cafes with lovely comrades
Visiting the park for pleasure
Walking around the house
Running freely with hope
Reading with focus
Joy and joyful folks
University, college, and school
The smiling faces of children
Kids with kites in the sky
The sound of music on the street
Reliable pupils
English classes
The change
Story telling for people
Declaiming poems and poetry
Civil movements

And more I miss
Freedom of speech
The music of bands with singers
The trial of reporters
Football, futsal and other sport
Adroit athletes
Walking nightly and daily
The intense…

By Anonymous

I am living in of the cities of Afghanistan. A few months ago, I got married. My husband and I together built a house and bought new furniture’s for us to live happily.

We did not expect such a sudden change in Afghanistan. I and my husband escaped to Kabul and could only take our documents with us. We are now stuck in Kabul and cannot go back. I had a dream to live peacefully in my city, work and enjoy with my family but all is ruined.

I heard in my city Taliban robbed houses and vehicles.

…

By Atefeh Jafari. Translated by Asadullah Jafari Pezhman

Even a mountain of pain cannot match your sorrow
Yes, laugh, but your wounds will not heal

Complain of your bitter days, my homeland
Never be afraid, the heavens will not be deaf

History has reviewed your elegy again
There are no tears for your lamentation

The world is clouded by your sad eyes
Kabul a mirror of dust again

My dear country, don’t forget Dehmazang Square*
Damn Dehmazang’s wounds and deaths on July 23

Along the way, lights burn the nights of Bamyan
Why do these stars go out?

There’s no…

by Atefeh Jafari Translated by Asadullah Jafari Pezhman

How can I wake up after your sun has set?
I must wear black clothes from now on
This time I will not fulfill my dreams, my destiny

No longer can I travel to your Herat
The girls in your house
Will be fatherless brides one day
Their fathers lost to war

I feel the pains of widowed women,
I shout to inform the world
But the world is ignoring the sins of the Taliban
As if your death was not their fault

I shout out my sorrow with a heart full…

By Shafiqa

I am a woman
Created with strengths
Love, mercy, patience, creativity
Abundance and many more.
I have deep feelings
Passion, desire, thrill
Grief and sadness.
I am not an object.
You cannot own me!

I am more fragile than a flower
Stronger than diamonds.
My heart is big.
There is room for forgiveness, revenge
Hatred and happiness.
My dreams are large.
I want certain things so badly
That is true.
I work hard.
I am not what you expect
But I am the one I want to be:
The best version of myself!

I enjoy laughter and deep…