Poem - If I Could, Poetess - Samira Siddiqi (Afghanistan)

Biography of Samira Siddiqi

Samira Siddiqi, daughter of Khwaja Agha Siddiqi—a journalist, poet, presenter, writer, women’s rights advocate, and methodology instructor—was born in 1998 in Kabul, Afghanistan, into a religious, educated, and open-minded family.

She completed her primary education up to grade seven in Kabul. Later, at her father’s request, the family moved to Parwan Province, where she continued her studies at Gulbahar No. 1 Girls High School, her ancestral hometown.

From an early age, Samira showed a strong interest in literature and media. With the encouragement and support of her father, she entered the field of media while still in grade eight. She graduated from high school in 2016 and was admitted to Parwan University, where she studied Journalism and graduated in 2020. In addition, she studied agriculture at a government institute for two and a half years and obtained a diploma.

During her media career, Samira Siddiqi has received several معتبر awards and certificates, including recognition as the “Bravest Female Journalist” in the field of local reporting, particularly for her work in high-risk reporting environments. She also worked for more than three years as a social worker in the AFO Food Security Project under the United Nations, focusing on empowering rural women farmers. Her contributions were highly appreciated by the project.

For over three years, she has been actively engaged in cultural and literary fields, collaborating with various literary and cultural organizations. She serves as an executive member of the Green-Minded Global Speakers Foundation, and is also a member of the Persian Speakers Association, the Persian Poetry Association, Rahaward Organization, Vision Online University, Clinton School, and several other معتبر academic institutions.

In the field of literature and culture, she has received more than 40 certificates and appreciation awards in writing, methodology, and teaching. Her first published work, titled “I Am a Strong Bird,” was well received and praised by various literary organizations.

Among her literary achievements are being selected as the “Best Writer and Poet in Free Verse” by the Green-Minded Global Foundation in Iran, receiving 5 certificates in writing, 3 in psychology, and 6 appreciation awards in declamation.

In media and social activities, she has received 2 certificates supporting female journalists, 3 certificates in reporting, and 3 certificates and awards in defense of women’s rights from the International Forum for Creativity and Humanity, Kingdom of Morocco (2018).

Currently, Samira Siddiqi is a member of the Afghanistan Free Journalists Union, the Women Journalists Association, the Parwan Youth Union, and the Women Journalists Union in Parwan Province.

She continues to be actively involved in literary, social, and women empowerment activities as a volunteer. Her message to young people is that nothing in the world lasts except love, kindness, humanity, and helping others. She believes that empathy and unity go beyond religion, race, or color, and she considers love for her country as an endless commitment.

If I Could…

If I could,

I would place a genuine smile

like a seal of destiny

upon human lips;

not a smile born of habit,

but one rising from the depths of the soul,

confessing truth

without disguise.

O smile,

you are the twin of tears

that fall in the solitude of night—

on the lips of mothers

who have lived for years

with only their son’s photograph,

and on the mouth of a girl

who has sealed her lips

out of fear for her dignity.

If I could,

I would carve you

upon the lips of king and beggar alike,

so the world would know

that pride is not eternal

and suffering often remains silent.

Human beings smile

so that sorrow

does not rule their hearts;

ah—

what a magnificent tragedy

this human effort is

to live happily.

If I could,

I would make smiles eternal,

so that in the midst

of this spectacle of blood and love,

humanity would not forget

that life

is still worth

remaining on this stage.

Because we smile—

not because we are without pain,

but because

we have the courage

to stand.

✍️Samira Siddiqi