The Women & The Buddhas of Bamiyan

The tanks called tradition

fired and fired first

next the artillery shells 
of Culture

causing scars
with its anger

the prisoners,victims once 

turned oppressors

then carried "family "
and truckloads of

love - the deadliest 

explosive to teach

the rebels to shut up

from the holy towers

of motherhood & matrimony
the rebel "idols" detonated

the killing of her "me"

self-respect in smoke

identity in burnt gunpowder
resonated

but lo and behold

as the smoke and dust settled

it was clear 

only her legs had been crippled

there she still stood

with her head held high

on her injured shoulders

fresh dynamite called

defamation was brought

and in holes as deep 

as sexual violence

planted in her heart

the planned obliteration worked

and there it was

the hollow, where

once she was

Rubble
reduced to dust

The Bamiyan Buddha
and the broken woman's trust ! 

This poem was inspired by this article : http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31813681