Unknown Shadow

Some girls rise and some fall low,

Some shine bright while others glow.

Some have talent, some have gold—

Yet poor girls suffer, stories untold.

“She is a girl,” the people say,

“Yes… but she’s poor,” they turn away.

Rules of society bend and break—

But only for the rich ones’ sake.

Money can buy a quiet night,

Money can turn the wrong into right.

We pray the same, believe the same—

Still life never treats us the same.

Seven billion souls in place,

Fourteen billion shades of face.

“Don’t trust anyone,” voices warn—

Yet trust is sold by those money-born.

Time keeps changing, seasons fly,

Society questions its own lie.

History repeats in every dawn,

Yet girls learn strength and carry on.

Before the world can bruise her more,

She learns to hope like never before.

Accepts the truth, survives the pain—

And walks ahead again, again.

Life keeps moving, day by day—

But girls keep rising anyway.

Written by Khadija Shahid