Knife: A Poem by: Dr. Rafey Habib

[chrisbarrett]

Run time: 01:44 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPVD9Heslc0   Posted on YouTube: May 18, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: May 19, 2009 By DU Member: chrisbarrett Views on DU: 372

 
Knife

Little girl,
Where did you go?
When did your world,
Your little laugh,
Stop?

You hardly had time
To grow, skipping
With playmates, on
Your slow way to school.

You were born
In your body, you
Did not choose; nor
Did your creator
Refuse your joy.

And then night fell.
The knife fell. Centuries
Of darkness fell on
You.

They held you, screaming,
Knees apart:
Your loving aunts, all
Uncomprehending,
Cutting, cutting,
Your mother’s sadness
Silent, unbending.

And now, you cannot
Love: man, woman, God.
They have torn out
Your little soul.

And they, who sanction
This, mullahs and tribesmen
Who know not what they do:
Will they answer
For the life they tore?

Little girl,
In some other world,
Will you laugh?
As before?

[Teaser]

1. Hey, my wife had him as a college professor years and years ago

small world.