Unfinished Freedom"

If I had the chance to visit my fallen heroes of the past,W

hat could I have done to better the present generation?

If only I could look into the eyes of my colonizers

And ask them to leave behind our cultural values,

The gold, the columbite—

But take away the westernization they brought.

If only I could witness the pain and torture

Our heroes endured to preserve a tradition

I can hardly live out,

A language I can barely speak—

Yet, I choose a foreign tongue

That clashes with my roots.

If only I could turn back time,

That those who fought for our freedom

Would still hold power today,

Chanting down the agents of greed and corruption.

But now, I know—

I cannot belong to the time of my forebears.

Yet, I can spark change in this generation,

I can be the change I long to see.

And you—

You can carry the banner of peace, unity, and integrity,

The very virtues our Imams, Pastors, and Priests preach.

If only you choose to be the one

To begin the change.