“It’s not necessary that Women play Cricket”
said the zealot
whilst adjusting the dress of his own middle wicket,
fearful of progress and all that goes With-it
In the Maternity Ward out pops another
Allah is praised for the gift of a brother,
while the now Empty Vessel knowing her place
Averts lesser eyes from his superior face.
The Un-bearded head spat out between Thighs
coughed out Her Blood and replaced it with lies,
to think all that hate was born of his seed
It’s beyond all debate that it’s him we don’t need
Notes from life 
A recent broadcast by The Afghan Taliban included a statement from one cleric that It was “not necessary that women play Cricket” It could have escaped his narrow view that it is not necessary that any human being play Cricket, let alone the female of the Species. Oh well we live and learn, oh no…sorry we don’t, do we?
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The word “afterbirth” entered the English language in the 16th century. The term has also been applied to a child born after the father’s death or last testament.
I suspect some will flinch at this poem and view it as insulting to Islam, to them I would say “well done you have recognised my intention”
It interests me that whilst we see media based poetry sites/social media platforms and individuals of varied political persuasions criticise and lambast those who refuse to recognise women rights, we rarely see them have the courage to attack the naked root of such hateful discrimination. In fact you will see those same cowardly fools shutting down dissenting voices often suggesting some kind of religious or racial discrimination is being professed when the exact opposite is the truth.
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I work in a school for girls where religion is a primary component of their education. I’m saddened when they return to school with their hijab after the summer. It is a loss of freedom–a loss that they cannot comprehend until later in their lives, if ever.
I recently attended a school picnic given for the employees and, upon taking a walk for a moment alone, found that they set up two separate events–one for the women, one for the men–separated by a wall. To put it simply, I felt insulted. This infantilization of women is pervasive–both the men and the women do it. I’m not saying that this attitude is specific only to their culture. It certainly isn’t. However, it’s so apparent that it’s almost inescapable.
I say ‘almost’–just watch me )
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It’s exasperating, it is true that the division is often reinforced by both genders, by overbearance, sheer bullying, acceptance and fear.
The opportunity that now exists in Afghanistan is due to 20 years of relative freedom in which time women have enabled themselves. I really hope that they offer effective resistance but I do fear they will be crushed. I also suspect that whilst many of the women have opened their minds to possibilities many Afghan men will be happy to see women pushed again into the background. I fear they will not support their women in their quest for equality, one only has to look at many elements of western male behaviours to realise that hope may be too great an expectation, I hope I’m wrong.
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