Back to Square One

By luigi_pagano

Wed, 25 Aug 2021
  • 1079 reads
6 comments
 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-58315413

Working women in Afghanistan
must stay at home, say the Taliban
to ensure their safety, not for leisure;
but it is only a temporary measure.

A spokesman made this comment:
we act on the spur of the moment
but the situation is bound to improve;
it's up to us to make the next move.

Our security men are not yet ready
to know how to treat a young lady;
they need to train and go to rehab
so keep wearing the burka or hijab.

Women are our national treasure,
to offend them incurs our displeasure.
Their roles have not yet been defined
because the system must be refined.

We had to stop them going to school,
if we let them, they may want to rule.
It is a man's job and we let them know
that they have to accept the status quo.

Things do change yet remain the same:
we show a new face but keep the name.
Nevertheless, when all is said and done,
we shall want to go back to square one.

 

 

© Luigi Pagano 2021

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Rant
Other Non-fiction

Comments

Submitted by marandina on

This incarnation of The Taliban claim to be more liberal and will allow women freedoms that they didn't have under their previous rule. It's hard to imagine being grateful for just being allowed to leave a house on their own and being able to attend schools and University. I just hope that they are true to their word and have learned moderation and inclusion this time around. These are difficult times, Luigi.

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I  am an old cynic, Paul, and my motto is "I'll believe it when I see it"
I don't think they have changed at all. Their whole philosophy is wrong. How can they justify shooting a young girl in the head for wanting to attend a school or to stone or flog women for behaviour that their men find abhorrent, regardless of circumstances, like for instance in the case of rape. When other civilised societies concentrate on rehabilitation, their solution is to cruelly punish any transgressor on the basis of fallible or debatable interpretations of a religious (ancient) law.

 

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

Great poem Luigi. I think you probably have described or shown their mindset perfectly! So we (Afghanistan, the West, and everybody who would wish them to improve) can't trust them to change. If they could become more tolerant, more open, at least there might be peace and a way forward for Afghanistan, but if they are just what most believe them to be, extremist bigots, with little understanding of modern improvements, they won't be a way forwards, just a way backwards.

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Everybody wishes for a peaceful resolution in Afghanistan and for the Taliban to moderate their stance. What frightens me is the gun-waving and the threat those weapons pose. I hope they'd listen to that wise old geezer Isaiah who urged people to beat swords into plowshares. I suppose it is a wait-and-see situation accompanied by fingers-crossing. Thanks for your feedback, David.

Best, Luigi.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

We have gone so far from the idea that women are posessions of men, it terrible that in many places that is their only protection, and from their own families there is no protection at all. 

Your poem is perfect Luigi

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Dear Di, we are of one mind.
Thanks for reading and commenting.

Kind regards, Luigi. x