" I will shine " - poem by Anila Bukhari (Pakistan)

" I will shine "

A daughter with a vibrant face

But a destiny that is not so actual

Why do I always have to embrace

A life that's full of gloom?

I cry in my pillow every night

When society hits me with its norms

They tell me I should just accept my plight

But why should I conform?

Just because I'm a woman

Does that make me weak or less?

Why should I always unfurl

Under society's distress?

It breaks my heart to see

How people judge me from my appearance

With their coldness and negative comments, it's not easy

To endure, when all I want is their acceptance

I have acne, I have scars

But do they define my worth?

Or is beauty the only bar

To measure a woman's birth?

I may not have a perfect face

But I have an amazing soul, a good heart

Why can't people look beyond the surface

And see that I'm more than just my looks?

I am a defender of women's rights

But sometimes I feel like a slave

Expected to take care of family fights

And fulfill every responsibility I'm told to crave

I don't want to be just a showcase

Or a servant for you to use

I want to be treated with grace

And not be the one that you abuse

I need your help, dear men

Like you give to your own son

I need a partner, now and then

To help me through thick and thin, until we are done

Please don't hurt me with your words and deeds

Remember, I am just like you

A human, with my own desires

And I deserve respect too.

So let's break down these barriers

And shatter these societal norms

Let's stand together as equals

And create a more warm world.

For I am not just an unfortunate Girl

I am strong, I am brave, I am smart

And with determination and a hopeful twirl

I will rise, I will shine, I will reach the skies.

Anila Bukhari

Anila Bukhari emerges as a luminous thread, in the legacy of Pakistan, weaving tales of empowerment. A beacon of hope in a world shrouded by adversity, she stands as the epitome of courage and conviction, etching her mark on the annals of history. Anila, daughter of the nation, embodies the essence of strength and purpose. From the tender age of ten, she wielded the pen as her sword, crafting prose infused with the fervor of change. In a society veiled by patriarchal norms, she dared to challenge the status quo, amplifying the voices of the marginalized and disenfranchised. With each stroke of her pen, she painted portraits of courage and defiance, shedding light on the harrowing realities of child marriage, forced unions, and the plight of the orphaned. Through her literary opuses, such as "No More Tears" and "Whispers of the Heart," she wove a tapestry of awareness, igniting conversations that reverberated across continents. But her journey transcends the field of literature; she is an example of activism, a harbinger of change. At the tender age of fourteen, she started on a crusade for peace, dedicating eight years of her life to the noble cause. Her efforts culminated in international acclaim, as she was bestowed with the prestigious International Excellence Community Service Award, a testament to her unwavering commitment to humanity. Anila's endeavors extend beyond the written word; she is a catalyst for action, a catalyst for change. Through her initiative, "No More Brides, Just Shine," she waged war against the scourge of child marriage, mobilizing communities and igniting a spark of hope in the hearts of the oppressed. From organizing speech competitions to spearheading educational campaigns, she left an indelible mark on the landscape of advocacy. Yet, amidst her tireless crusade, she remains grounded in compassion, extending a helping hand to those in need. Through her project, "Hopeful Hugs," she brings solace to homeless children and solace to cancer patients, embodying the true essence of altruism. Anila Bukhari, a visionary in her own right, is not merely a writer or an activist; she is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul. Inspired by the timeless wisdom of Rumi, Maya Angelou, and Khalil Gibran, she dreams of a world emancipated from the shackles of injustice, where every girl can aspire to greatness. In the hallowed halls of art galleries in the USA, Florida, and the Philippines, her verses adorn the walls, a testament to her transcendent talent. Her words resonate in the hearts of millions, a clarion call for change in a world yearning for transformation. In her, we find the embodiment of beauty with brains, intellect, and compassion—a true luminary whose brilliance knows no bounds. Anila Bukhari, the daughter of the nation, a force to be reckoned with, and a guiding light of hope for generations to come.