Malala

Posted by Paul F. Lenzi on October 12, 2013

Posted in: Free Verse, POETRY. Tagged: Conviction, Courage, Education, Human Rights, Malala Yousefzai, Misogyny, Nobel Prize, Pakistan, Repression, Women. 53 Comments

Malala Yousafzai

(For Malala Yousafzai)

five times shot
by medieval misogyny
bullets of brittle belief
aimed by ancient assassins
at innocent dreams
fifty million young girls
take to second-class beds
every third world night
but this one slender flower
empowered by sisterhood
shared at the roots
flush with uncommon courage
caught all of their bullets
in soft-handed petals
and offered them bitterless
back to the ignorant

wanting no more
than the beauty of knowledge
this living articulate
thinking survivor
exemplifies virtue as victor
implausible teacher
of triumph against
a barbaric theocracy
tyranny poorly disguised as divine
she stands righteous ground
earns admiring affection
and praise from the rational minds
and benevolent hearts
keeping balance in worldly affairs
while doyens of Swede meritorium
cling to their cold nonchalance

53 comments on “Malala”

Listening Daisy on October 12, 2013 at 6:04 pm said:

Amazing poem about an amazing girl.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 13, 2013 at 9:16 am said:
  
  on her behalf I thank you
  
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unolilly on October 12, 2013 at 6:11 pm said:

Reblogged this on unolilly and commented:
There’s a really important message in here: I’m stunned by this beautiful interpretation

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 13, 2013 at 9:18 am said:
  
  thank you for sharing this poem with your readers – and for your lovely comment
  
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greenlightlady on October 12, 2013 at 6:15 pm said:

Well done, Paul! I love this poem and the thoughts behind it that so many good-willed people have towards this lovely young lady. Shame on the shooter and the corrupt belief system that armed his heart with hate.

Blessings ~ Wendy

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 13, 2013 at 9:19 am said:
  
  thank you kindly, Wendy
  
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Caddo on October 12, 2013 at 6:57 pm said:

Powerful writing, Paul, powerful.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 13, 2013 at 9:20 am said:
  
  having seen her interviewed, she is powerfully impressive
  
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Nigel Carter on October 12, 2013 at 9:53 pm said:

A wonderful and clearly heart-felt tribute to a courageous young woman. I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 13, 2013 at 9:21 am said:
  
  on her behalf, I greatly appreciate your comment
  
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  - Nigel Carter on October 13, 2013 at 11:27 am said:
    
    Thank you, Paul. I have shared it on my church’s Facebook page.
    
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Pingback: The Courageous Young Girl: Malala | Posts And Poems
Maggie on October 13, 2013 at 5:12 am said:

An outstanding poem. Oh my goodness, why haven’t I followed your blog? I am doing so RIGHT NOW. You have been so generous in commenting on my poems. I can’t wait to catch up on your excellence. I see it already, in “Malala.” Stunning.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 13, 2013 at 9:25 am said:
  
  I greatly appreciate your exuberant comments, Maggie – and I hope you enjoy some of what you find here
  
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irinadim on October 13, 2013 at 10:54 am said:

Wonderful tribute to a brave young woman. I’m re-blogging this.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 14, 2013 at 9:21 am said:
  
  thank you kindly
  
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irinadim on October 13, 2013 at 10:55 am said:

Reblogged this on Irina's Poetry Corner and commented:
Wonderful tribute to a brave young woman!

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 14, 2013 at 9:23 am said:
  
  I appreciate your sharing my poem with your readers
  
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samcandyz22 on October 13, 2013 at 2:38 pm said:

Reblogged this on Samreen's Blog.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 14, 2013 at 9:24 am said:
  
  sharing my poem with your readers is greatly appreciated
  
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samcandyz22 on October 13, 2013 at 2:43 pm said:

its a wonderful poem about a very courageous girl, it takes a lot of guts to do what she did. your efforts are very much appreciable, sir. thank you for spending your time writing on such a sensitive, yet an inspiring issue. i’ve reblogged it too. 🙂

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 14, 2013 at 9:23 am said:
  
  on her behalf, I thank you kindly
  
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stockdalewolfe on October 13, 2013 at 10:04 pm said:

A wonderfully accurate tribute to a truly exceptional woman! She deserves your accolades more than anyone I know and all due respect and admiration from all of us. Thank you for addressing her courage and stature in the world.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 14, 2013 at 9:26 am said:
  
  needless to say, she impressed me deeply – the world so sorely needs her example
  
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utalapwrx on October 14, 2013 at 2:33 pm said:

I just watched her interview on CNN and I couldn’t help but be impressed. All of those things coming from a 16-year-old girl… it was just wow. I truly admire her convictions and principles, and this poem was very apt for that feeling.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 15, 2013 at 2:20 pm said:
  
  she bolsters my faith in the human spirit
  
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poetsmith246 on October 15, 2013 at 6:51 pm said:

Courageous young lady with a forgiving heart. What an example! Your poem is so fitting, Paul. Kind regards.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 16, 2013 at 9:37 am said:
  
  thank you sincerely
  
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Wordifull Melanie on October 16, 2013 at 4:19 am said:

This is wonderful. Thank you for writing it! Such an impressive young girl. She gives me a little more faith in humankind. Maybe things can still change for the better…

I’m sharing on Twitter and facebook.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 16, 2013 at 9:38 am said:
  
  she is indeed a light in the dark night
  
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Malctg - The Foureyed Poet. on October 17, 2013 at 3:00 pm said:

Hi Paul. So nicely written an amazing and brave young lady. Thank you for liking and your comment on ‘ Warriors!’ Best Wishes, The Foureyed Poet.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 18, 2013 at 12:58 pm said:
  
  thanks kindly, Malc
  
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Christy Birmingham on October 19, 2013 at 4:54 pm said:

Beautiful tribute, Paul

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 20, 2013 at 11:12 am said:
  
  thank you kindly, Christy
  
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ampbreia on October 25, 2013 at 11:24 pm said:

Very beautifully put. She is something special, isn’t she?

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 26, 2013 at 12:07 pm said:
  
  she is, indeed
  
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Argus on October 27, 2013 at 6:55 pm said:

I read somewhere that all the darkness in the universe cannot dim the light from one little candle …

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- Paul F. Lenzi on October 28, 2013 at 10:08 am said:
  
  what a wonderful thought
  
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harmonioustew on November 3, 2013 at 9:21 am said:

this is a glowing tribute to a dignified girl. it takes a lot of guts for anyone to live in such conditions. thanks, by the way, for liking my poem.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on November 3, 2013 at 1:09 pm said:
  
  on her behalf, I thank you kindly
  
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loujenhaxmyor on November 5, 2013 at 7:05 am said:

Malala would be honored by this poem, Paul. Can’t imagine being born a woman in her country and having the courage to almost die for her independent desires. Have a wonderful day.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on November 5, 2013 at 11:35 am said:
  
  thank you most sincerely
  
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Paul F. Lenzi on July 5, 2014 at 1:52 pm said:

Reblogged this on Poesy plus Polemics.

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Ron DuBour on July 5, 2014 at 4:17 pm said:

Reblogged this on OUR POETRY CORNER.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on July 6, 2014 at 3:06 pm said:
  
  thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
  
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Sisters Speaking Serenity on July 5, 2014 at 4:29 pm said:

Reblogged this on Sisters Speaking Serenity.

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mikesteeden on July 5, 2014 at 4:44 pm said:

An inspiring poem in respect of an inspiring and very brave young lady.

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- Paul F. Lenzi on July 6, 2014 at 12:58 pm said:
  
  on her behalf, I thank you
  
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Shards Of DuBois on July 8, 2014 at 12:33 am said:

she’s a warrior to be proud of… have you read her book?? she’s just amazing!

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- Paul F. Lenzi on July 8, 2014 at 12:52 pm said:
  
  I’ve not read the book – I have great admiration for her
  
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ailsacawley on September 15, 2015 at 12:32 pm said:

Fabulous work Paul, I love it. She is an inspiration to many 🙂

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- Paul F. Lenzi on September 16, 2015 at 10:03 am said:
  
  on her behalf I thank you kindly
  
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The Poetry Channel on October 27, 2016 at 11:02 am said:

Thanks, Paul.

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