Naked Taliban Poem by Mugdha Variyar

They may not have guns,
but it doesn't mean you are safe.
They may not shoot you in broad daylight,
but in darkness, you are bait.

They may not be organised,
but they are spread everywhere.
They may be different in form,
but their message is the same.

They may not directly ask you
to cover up in a cape.
They are telling you no matter what you wear,
they will rape.

They may not shoot you for venturing out alone,
but they will punish you, if you are with a friend or on your own.
They may not profess that girls should not educate,
but they will rape your daughter in a school bus, no matter she is only eight.

We think they are far away
in and beyond Pakistan.
But take a closer look
and you will see a naked Taliban.