The Breadwinner

Six Word Memoirs

Delicate flowers crushed by land mines.

Sacrificing herself to save her family.

I am outside, but still unseen. -- Parvana

His eyes begin to fade, lifeless. -- Parvana (from Parvana's Journey)

Brave, but scared of the world. -- Parvana

Afghanistan: how beautiful it once was. -- Parvana

All of the beauty is hidden. -- Women of Afghanistan

War can take freedom, not spirit. -- Parvana

Where I'm From: Poems in the Voice of Parvana

Parvana by MF (Inspired by The Breadwinner, Parvana's Journey, and My Name is Parvana)

I am from Afghanistan

From head coverings and blacked out windows

From the same four walls and frantically cleaning mothers.

I am from imprisoned fathers

From wretched men that don’t respect females in any way shape or form

I am from the window woman

(both seeing and becoming)

I am from busy market places and dirt roads with no sandals.

From reading letters to selling matches,

I am from brave young girls

who dance across minefields

From stinky sisters and dead brothers,

From rock throwing boys in caves, unable to walk

And from grandmothers that stare at walls, and nothing else.

I am from starry nights and resting under the dark blue blanket of the sky

From falling asleep listening to babies snoring

and bombs going off in the distance.

I am from short hair, and pretending to be someone I’m not.

From no freedom but having the ability to run.

I am from scavenging death valley, filled with blown up carts and bodies.

From stocking the treasure house with trinkets no longer owned.

I am from collecting rocks to pile on my loved ones six feet under.

And from digging up people I never knew and never will.

I am from tea boys that are girls

And from being saved by a strict old woman.

I am from old stale naan and half blown up goats.

And from pigeons with snapped necks.

I am from mean single minded men, and foreign bombs.

I wish to be from atop the giant tower in France with Shauzia

In school in New York, instead of Nooria.

Soon I’ll be from all around the world.

I just have to live to see the day.

Where I'm From (Parvana) by LS

I am from the captivity of a single room

From one day wandering the streets

To another painting our windows black

I am from toshaks to endless nights

With only my father's books to keep me company

I am from hot rice and naan

That is if i'm lucky

Walks that seem as though I am in a dark tunnel

Yet we can’t quite see the light

But I know it's there somewhere

I am from feeling as though I haven't eaten in a week

But sometimes that’s the truth

I am from my mother and father

From my new brothers Asif and Hassan

From my new sister Leila

But I still look for my real family

I am from the noises of bombs

Not knowing if I will be the next target

I am from pretending to be someone I know nothing about

Tired of not knowing where my family is

Mother, Father, Nooria, Maryam, Ali, Window Women?

Where I’m from you never know when your last see you later will turn into a goodbye,

Forever

“Where I’m From” (Parvana) by AT

I am from Afghanistan

From practicing my Muslim faith

From Mother and Father protecting me,

Nooria bossing me around

With Ali and Maryam to play with.

I am from Mount Parvana rising

Over all of Afghanistan.

I am from stories of brave Malali.

Now I am from imprisoned fathers

From no school or sunshine

From bombs falling and burquas covering

I am from little nan, rice, tea; nothing else.

I am now from working in the market

From bone digging and being a boy

From always providing for my family

I am from gifts from the Window Women

From protecting father’s books

From planting flowers in the marketplace.

I am from bravery and strength

Beyond compare.

Gifts for Parvana

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