
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
Amazing poem about an amazing girl.
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on her behalf I thank you
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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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thank you for sharing this poem with your readers – and for your lovely comment
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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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thank you kindly, Wendy
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Powerful writing, Paul, powerful.
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having seen her interviewed, she is powerfully impressive
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A wonderful and clearly heart-felt tribute to a courageous young woman. I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you.
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on her behalf, I greatly appreciate your comment
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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
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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I greatly appreciate your exuberant comments, Maggie – and I hope you enjoy some of what you find here
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Wonderful tribute to a brave young woman. I’m re-blogging this.
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thank you kindly
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Reblogged this on Irina's Poetry Corner and commented:
Wonderful tribute to a brave young woman!
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I appreciate your sharing my poem with your readers
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Reblogged this on Samreen's Blog.
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sharing my poem with your readers is greatly appreciated
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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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on her behalf, I thank you kindly
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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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needless to say, she impressed me deeply – the world so sorely needs her example
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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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she bolsters my faith in the human spirit
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Courageous young lady with a forgiving heart. What an example! Your poem is so fitting, Paul. Kind regards.
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thank you sincerely
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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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she is indeed a light in the dark night
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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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thanks kindly, Malc
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Beautiful tribute, Paul
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thank you kindly, Christy
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Very beautifully put. She is something special, isn’t she?
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she is, indeed
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I read somewhere that all the darkness in the universe cannot dim the light from one little candle …
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what a wonderful thought
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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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on her behalf, I thank you kindly
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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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thank you most sincerely
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Reblogged this on Poesy plus Polemics.
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Reblogged this on OUR POETRY CORNER.
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thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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Reblogged this on Sisters Speaking Serenity.
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An inspiring poem in respect of an inspiring and very brave young lady.
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on her behalf, I thank you
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she’s a warrior to be proud of… have you read her book?? she’s just amazing!
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I’ve not read the book – I have great admiration for her
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Fabulous work Paul, I love it. She is an inspiration to many 🙂
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on her behalf I thank you kindly
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Thanks, Paul.
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