The Pain of Being a Girl

By Sharifa Ahmadi

Once again, we share our pain
The pain that burns in our bodies
We write with broken hearts
With tears in our eyes
Shaking hands and shortness of breath

Hey, can you imagine
What causes this sorrow?

It is being a girl, a woman, a wife
In the country of Afghanistan
We have no right to take a fresh breath
No right to live with freedom
No right to talk with strangers

Does my pain touch your heart?

We can’t work outside
We can’t wear what we want
We can’t go to school, college or university
We dream of enjoying childhood and youth
We have wishes for education
We are forced to marry

There is no light
Our lives go on and on
But this is not really living
Surrounded by violence
By the laws that restrict us

I ask again when
Will Afghan women be free
When will the men in power
Understand we too are human
When will such bright days ever shine