There is none who fills me with quite as much awe

As the kind and courageous flame: Malala.

Here is a person whose actions inspire,

Spreading her message of peace throughout the world like wildfire.

 

Though a daunting duty for a young girl from Swat,

For education rights worldwide she’s continually fought.

At the age of eleven, her hard work first began

As, under a pseudonym, a banned blog she ran.

 

Her daily life was a defiance of the Taliban’s rule:

Every day she learned and went to her school.

She cared so much about learning that she risked her own life.

She never gave up on her dream, even when it caused her strife.

 

Eventually, the Taliban had had enough of her truth

And so tried to silence the voice of the youth.

Bang, they shot her in the head, assuming that was the end, no doubt,

But, alas, her formidable fire could not be put out.

 

The best and worst thing that could happen to her left her story far from ended.

Her passion burns like a beautiful flame that cannot be apprehended.

In their attempt to pour water on the blaze of her hearth,

They instead gave her a platform to spread her message to all the earth.

 

She does not wish ill on the men responsible for her attack,

For she knows proper education is all that they lack.

She hopes they change their ways and it’s love they disperse.

She wishes to make the world a better place, even for those who make it worse.

 

At sixteen, life began anew for the girl with a pen,

Commencing with an iconic speech in front of the U.N..

A hush fell over that crowd, no one wanted to miss a word,

An entire room of important leaders moved by what they heard.

 

So, she spoke out more, in the form of a book.

The words she wrote caused the whole world to look.

“Universal education for all children is a right!” she cries.

And this belief won her the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

Following in the footsteps of Malalai, her namesake,

Malala’s words light the world like the sun at daybreak.

Though a daunting task for a young girl from Swat,

For education rights worldwide she’s continually fought.

 

Malala would do anything and everything to help disadvantaged women succeed.

Her compassion and drive no one can exceed.

Birthdays spent in refugee camps, building schools.

Each year, exemplifying the wonder of the golden rule.

 

She’s inspired so many, and angered some others.

Using her pen, she fights for the rights of her sisters and brothers.

Following in the footsteps of Malalai, her namesake,

Malala’s words light up the world like the sun at daybreak.

 

Her justice is not only heard by those in need,

But through an international trip, by those who lead.

Months spent challenging officials to make a change.

Her words honest and strong throughout their exchange.

 

Now, at Oxford University, she acts on her dream.

While her organization helps make international education mainstream.

Her actions are incomparable, her agenda: actual.

Her sense of justice is fierce, all her arguments are factual.

 

There is none who fills me with quite as much awe

As the kind and courageous flame: Malala.

Here is a person whose actions inspire,

Spreading her message of peace throughout the world like wildfire.

 

Her actions taught me gratitude, how to stand tall;

Her words showed me forgiveness for any, for all.

Now, I treat education as something more than a pain.

Now, my voice, I know, is not unheard or plain.

 

I speak up for my beliefs. I fight. l try.

I love all in my way; I love all on my side.

My words I make strong, and I refuse to stay silent,

But all the same I remember: my fight need not be violent.

 

Malala is more than a girl; her words are more than just a sound.

She’s a fighter, a leader. She loves everyone around.

She’s my hero, this woman who has taught me so much.

It’s thanks to her that I now live my life as such.