"When Life Isn't Life"

Birth of a female in Afghanistan can mean rejection even abuse.

Under a cover of shame,
labor is less physical pain,
heart breaking, soul tearing,
birthing a girl in Afghanistan.

Agony to know a sweet girl
will be beat, spit on, abused,
no future to look forward to.
Is life without hope truly life?

She covers a lovely face.
Like an abomination,
a terrible sin committed
but she is innocent.

You cry bitter tears;
she is beat in the streets,
denied education, like you
your shame is hers.

Could one understand?
After birth to a girl,
you softly cover her mouth
until breath is no more.


By Kathie Stehr
20 lines