Poem by Federico Mayor, Former Director General of UNESCO:

WOMEN

Woman

You brought with you

A new song.

But we did not let you

Speak out

Although yours

Is the voice of half the earth.

Woman,

Your eyes

Saw the world

Another way.

But we did not want

To know the meaning

And warmth

Of your vision.

Woman,

You carried under your skin

Of all colors

The seed

Of the future,

The light

Which could illuminate

Different paths

Rebellious

Yet peaceful ways,

Woman-bridge

Woman-bond

Woman-root

And fruit of love

And tenderness.

Woman,

Your hands outstretched

And your open arms

Enfold the immensity

Of refuge

And of comfort.

But we have not understood

The strength of your embrace

Nor the cry of your silence

And we carry on

With neither compass

Nor relief.

Woman,

With no other master

But yourself,

Live from now on

Equal and free,

Now as companion

Sharing

The same dream FOREVER.

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