(For Malala Yousafzai)

five times shot
by medieval misogyny
bullets of brittle belief
aimed by ancient assassins
at innocent dreams
fifty million young girls
take to second-class beds
every third world night
but this one slender flower
empowered by sisterhood
shared at the roots
flush with uncommon courage
caught all of their bullets
in soft-handed petals
and offered them bitterless
back to the ignorant

wanting no more
than the beauty of knowledge
this living articulate
thinking survivor
exemplifies virtue as victor
implausible teacher
of triumph against
a barbaric theocracy
tyranny poorly disguised as divine
she stands righteous ground
earns admiring affection
and praise from the rational minds
and benevolent hearts
keeping balance in worldly affairs
while doyens of Swede meritorium
cling to their cold nonchalance