I Have a Dream - Visitor's Poem

by Shamila Daluwatte
(Colombo, Sri Lanka )

I have a dream that all women will be free from violence
That they could take their breath with comfort
I have a dream that all girls will be free from abuse
That they could trust their land of the living
I have a dream that all wives will be free from domestic violence in their own homes
I have a dream that women will walk in public
the way they like without being harassed
I have a dream that women will not be ridiculed with virginity tests on their honeymoon beds
I have a dream that the killing of women in the name of honour will be stopped in their faithful societies
I have a dream I don’t have to read newspaper stories of stabbing,
Killing, raping millions of women and girls
When I wake up in the morning
I have a dream that the abuse of women will vanish
Like morning dew disappears when the Sun comes
I have a dream that women will enjoy freedom and democracy
Like water for the thirst and food for the hunger