(Australia)

In your valley,
once called Uddiyana,
there are mountains,
caves and forests,
the tombs of saints,
the memories of ancient worlds,
the legacy of Alexander and the Greeks in
blonde haired, green eyed people,
and a love of wisdom.

In your valley,
on the frontier,
you grew up
wanting to learn,
campaigning for the right of girls
to go to school.

In your valley, Swat,
floods came and houses were lost,
people fled across the country.

Ignorance came too,
a flood of men with guns,
killing scholars, women, children,
smashing old temples,
burning libraries,
and they came to silence you
as you were travelling to school,
but their guns
missed their target.

Malala,
as a child you left your valley
in north west Pakistan,
but your fight for education,
is known across the world.

You showed us all
what courage is –
the price that may be paid
for loving wisdom.

Diana Cousens is a Melbourne poet and photographer who has published two books of poetry and photography, „House Red“ and „The Freedom To Be“. She has a PhD in Himalayan Studies and represents the Buddhist community in interfaith dialogue.