Muslim child, daughter, innocent heart.
Pakistani village,
protecting a younger brother
punish the family name.
Dragged across an empty field,
screaming, kicking, begging.
Tears of shame,
unable to look at her father.
Standing outside a mud hut,
five men take their turn,
gun to head,
no shame,
their mothers unable to speak,
fear of reprisal.
Mukhtaran held to her faith in God,
not wishing to end her shame by taking her life,
standing up to those with power.
Raise the children under the lantern of truth,
teaching respect for all human life,
child of God, blessed with grace.
Mukhtaran Bibi,
a voice heard in the wilderness of pain,
screaming for justice in the morning sun,
Pakistani sun, world sun, knowing the truth of your faith in God.
Teach the children, free their hearts, raise their minds to a world
held bright. Ride on the wave of
freedom, no longer hiding in shame, for you did nothing.(c)Joel D. Marable 2006
published in Skipping Stones 2006
and again in Ripples
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