Afghan Women's Writing Project

Share Love

Love is like air / Everywhere / Breathe it, dear

Smile of Stars – A Poem

He is simple like / My childhood paintings / His face is like a / Smile of stars at midnight / He has a wide heart / Like the Pacific Ocean / His eyes are honest and lovely couples / His thoughts are deep like time

My Neighborhood: Poor Yet Kind

I live in Kabul, Afghanistan. On the way to my home, I can see the beautiful Darulaman Palace from a distance, although it is not as beautiful as it used to be. The palace was destroyed during the mujahedeen (civil) war. The palace was built in 1921 and completed in 1925 during the reign of Amanullah Khan (king of Afghanistan at that time). It was a royal residency.

Election Day in Farah

Thursday, August 20, 2009: Marina, a 19-year-old woman voting for the first time, was the earliest person to arrive at the Malai Miwand Girl’s School, where the women’s voting center was located.

“I have been looking forward to this day for three months,” Marina said. “I am very happy that as an Afghan woman, I can participate in Afghanistan’s future. I accomplished my role, which was to vote.

U.S. Ambassador’s Wife Promises to Seek Funds for Girl’s School

The women of Farah Province waited impatiently in the Governor’s guesthouse for the arrival of Chiang Eikenberry, the wife of US Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, who was visiting Farah for the first time to attend a luncheon in her honor. “This is the first time I ever heard of a foreign visitor who wants to have a special meeting with Afghan women,” said Pari, a woman participating in ceremony.

Four Poems

The address of my house is difficult to say / Because I live in a land
/ Where no one lives / Here… / Sun presents darkness / No bird flies in the sky of my wishes / Loneliness is the only friend

Life!

Listen to me, / My rude friend. / Do you know? / What was your reward? / Friendship? / Happiness? / Kindness? / No thanks, life / For what you gave me.

Child Labor In Afghanistan

Baryalai leaned against the wall of the university next to the bus station. He held a bucket and a small piece of cotton he hoped to use to wash one of the approaching cars. Suddenly two boys rushed past him towards a car. Baryalai followed.

“Can I wash the car?” asked all the boys.

The Marriage Proposal

It requires a lot of guts to fall in love in Afghanistan. This was particularly true during the Taliban era, when the separation of male and female societies was taken very seriously and often enforced with violence. My mother’s 25-year-old cousin, a dentist, certainly had guts. He proved it by falling in love with S, one of his patients.

A Walk

It was noon, / hot weather / The sun was shining / Students got off from school / My sister Leeda and I and / many other girls / started home
We were talking about our day / Our home was far away / All the other girls separated / We were left alone / We walked faster / Not good for girls to be alone / on the streets.