ZARI Layaq, a young student of English literature hailing from Madyan, district Swat, recently brought out her first collection of English poetry titled ‘The invisibles’.

She is the only daughter of noted Pashto poet Layaqzada Layaq, who is author of several books. She is the first-ever Pakhtun Swati girl to have penned down poetry in English.

Drawing inspiration from her poet father at a very tender age Zari Layaq used to participate in poetry recital competitions in school and study books carrying fairy tales.

She used to get fascinated by the scenic beauty of her native village. The crystal water rills, green meadows and the snow-capped mountains all paved way for Zari Layaq to express herself in poetry.

Currently, she is doing her Masters in English literature from the English Department, University of Peshawar. Spreading over 110 pages, the book contains over 80 beautiful long and short poems mostly images of natural beauty that are reflective of the young poet’s flight of imagination.

Some of these poems are emblems of a sad commentary on social injustices while a few others are focusing on bizarre images of our brutal society.

In a brief rhymed poem captioned ‘Webbing minds’ the poet says:

They weaved around Her infant mind The deadly web Of customs grand It visibly and clearly shows the stifling situation in which Pakhtun women are living under the garb of so-called traditions. Most Pakhtun girls are tied into wedding lock even before their births while some are destined to suffer the ‘grand customs’ in their infancy.

In another short poem titled ‘The hidden fire’ Zari portrays the unfulfilled dreams of a Pashtun girl.

Constructing without hands She is confident I can see I can see In her eyesThe light of fire That glows With blow of dreams This is, however, a positive image of Pakhtun women that they are confident to realise their dreams owing to strength of their willpower and determination.

The poet wants to say that despite odds in the form of social barriers a Pakhtun woman can rise from the ashes because she has now the enlightenment and awareness necessary for voicing her problems. She can realise her dreams and can face the modern day challenges.

Yet in an another inspiring poem this time longer one, ‘Killing skills’, the poet remarks that poor are punished for being poor, though not poor in intellect and art. It points to the philistinism and violence ingrained in our society to the bone marrow.

The book ends on the note of both hope and a question posed by two short poems.The first one ‘Breathing hearts’ relates the power of pen.

With might of pen A verse composed Turned into melody of beating hearts The solemn sound of raining rain The last poem, ‘Who will win?’ comments on the deadly race going on between people of the world for their deeds and breeds.

Who will win the race of deeds In this big world Of various breeds Social activist, educator and editor of an online literary magazine ‘Sahar’ Azra Nafees Yousafzai hailing from Dir in her remarks on the book told Dawn that it was very heartening and encouraging to know that girls from far-flung areas were motivated and determined to get into the field of literature. “I am personally glad that Pakhtun girls are fearlessly breaking shackles and are set to instill new life in literature,” she said.

Ms Yousafzai added that there were many Malalas, who were struggling to restore peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through education. “I see clouds with silver lining,” she hoped.

This epigrammatic piece is in fact a critical comment from a young Swati girl poet on the global race among nations and world powers for serving their varied vested interests. But the preceding poetic piece gives us a hope that change can be brought through the might of pen.

The pen symbolising ‘education’ is probably the only option that can change the plight of Pakhtun women.