WOMEN
Woman
You brought with you
A new song.
But we did not let you
Speak out
Although yours
Is the voice of half the
earth.
Woman,
Your eyes
Saw the world
Another way.
But we did not want
To know the meaning
And warmth
Of your vision.
Woman,
You carried under your skin
Of all colors
The seed
Of the future,
The light
Which could illuminate
Different paths
Rebellious
Yet peaceful ways,
Woman-bridge
Woman-bond
Woman-root
And fruit of love
And tenderness.
Woman,
Your hands outstretched
And your open arms
Enfold the immensity
Of refuge
And of comfort.
But we have not understood
The strength of your embrace
Nor the cry of your silence
And we carry on
With neither compass
Nor relief.
Woman,
With no other master
But yourself,
Live from now on
Equal and free,
Now as companion
Sharing
The same dream FOREVER.
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Federico Mayor, Former Director General of UNESCO
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