Daughters Not a Curse

In this world where girls are often confined by societal norms, it's time to break free from those cages and embrace the power within. My book, "Daughters Not a Curse," is a heartfelt collection of verses that aims to empower and uplift girls who have been made to believe they are less than. It challenges the notion that the birth of daughters is a curse and instead celebrates their strength and potential.

Regardless of our religious beliefs, the message remains the same: daughters deserve love, care, and respect. In this book, I draw inspiration from the wisdom of Prophet Muhammad, who emphasized the importance of women's rights and their immense value.

Join me on this poetic journey as we celebrate the resilience of girls and work towards a society where daughters are cherished and their potential is recognized. Together, let's rewrite the narrative and create a brighter future where every girl is seen as a blessing.

It is not often that you come across such a passion for humanity in someone as young as Anila Bukhari. Her depth of empathy for others is astounding and very much alive through her poetry. We mustn’t take for granted the privileges we have, where we reside, and the freedoms that we have, because not everyone has those same luxuries.

That is not the way it should be. Freedom should not be a luxury. It should be a way of life. It should be part of the experience of simply being human. Men and women of all races, religions, and creeds should all be allowed to share the same basic human rights, but unfortunately, the world is disjointed. We are not as one, although we all breathe the same air, walk in the same rain, and all have the same needs.

Anila is brave in sharing her words, as any woman is when we show our true colors. We want to be heard, respected and allowed the same successes as everyone else. I sincerely hope that, either as a woman or a burgeoning one, you will be uplifted and empowered by the words within these pages. If you happen to be a man reading these words, I pray you find compassion, respect, and humbleness in them. May you find understanding for the feminine and see the strength that makes all women invaluable.

Anila Bukhari, a remarkable young Girl hailing from Pakistan, has made a significant impact on the world with her talents and passion. As the youngest published author in Pakistan, her books have gained recognition and are even registered with the Library of Congress in the USA. Anila's dedication to championing the cause of child marriage has earned her the title of a true advocate. Her thought-provoking poems have been displayed at numerous international venues, spreading awareness and inspiring change. Anila's influence extends far beyond the borders of her own country. Her powerful words have reached the hearts of thousands of children, enlightening them about the importance of ending child marriage. In fact, her impactful poems have been included in the syllabus for 7th-grade students in Nepal, ensuring that her message reaches even more young minds. Currently pursuing her A-levels at Cambridge University in London, Anila continues to pursue her education while making a difference through her writing. Anila's literary achievements have not gone unnoticed. Her poems have been exhibited in Canada, showcasing her talent and garnering international recognition. With her unwavering determination and commitment to social causes, Anila Bukhari has truly become a daughter of the nation, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps. Her efforts as a published author, activist against child marriage, and advocate for girls' rights make her a shining example of what one person can achieve when they set their mind to it.

Anila Bukhari emerges as a luminous thread in the legacy of Pakistan, weaving tales of empowerment. A beacon of hope in a world shrouded in adversity, she stands as the epitome of courage and conviction as she etches her mark on the annals of history. Anila, the daughter of the nation, embodies the essence of strength and purpose. She wielded the pen as her sword from the tender age of ten, crafting prose infused with the fervor of change. In a society veiled by patriarchal norms, she dared to challenge the status quo while amplifying the voices of the marginalized and disenfranchised.With each stroke of Anila's pen, she paints portraits of courage and defiance while shedding light on the harrowing realities of child marriage, forced unions, and plights of the orphaned. In her literary opuses, No More Tears and Whispers of the Heart, she weaves a tapestry of awareness and ignites conversations that reverberate across continents. Anila's journey continues to transcend the field of literature and is an example of activism and a harbinger of change. At the tender age of fourteen, she started a crusade for peace and dedicated eight years of her life to the noble cause. Her efforts have culminated in international acclaim and bestowed her works with the prestigious international Excellence Community Service Award, an ink-filled testament to her unwavering commitment to humanity. Anila's endeavors extend beyond the written word. She is a catalyst for action and change. Through her initiative, No More Brides, Just Shine, she wages war against the scourge of child marriage, mobilizing communities and igniting a spark of hope in the hearts of the oppressed. From organizing speech competitions to spearheading educational campaigns, she leaves an indelible mark on the landscape of advocacy. Amidst her tireless crusade, Anila remains grounded in compassion and extends a helping hand to those in need. Through her project, Hopeful Hugs, she brings solace to homeless children and cancer patients, embodying the true essence of altruism. Anila Bukhari, a visionary in her own right, is not merely a writer and activist. She is also a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul. Inspired by the timeless wisdom of Rumi, Maya Angelou, and Khalil Gibran, she dreams of a world emancipated from the shackles of injustice. A world where every girl can aspire to greatness. In the hallowed halls of art galleries in the USA, Florida, and the Philippines; her verses adorn the walls, hanging as a testament to her transcendent talent. Her words resonate in the hearts of millions, a clarion call for change in a world yearning for transformation. In her, we find the embodiment of beauty with brains, intellect, and compassion-a true luminary whose brilliance knows no bounds. Anila Bukhari, the daughter of the nation, is a force to be reckoned with and a guiding light of hope for generations to come.

Brandy Lane has lived most of her life in Indiana and Colorado. She published her first book, Where Beautiful Loves, in December 2020 under her imprint Where Beautiful Inks. Just after the release of her first book, she discovered anthologies as an option for publishing and has since had poetry pieces included in over three dozen publications. These publications include Poetry 365 by RDW (both abridged and unabridged editions) for November, December, January, February, March, April, May, and June, and special editions of Creator, and Self Portrait. Red Penguin Books has published her pieces in 'Tis the Season's, The Flower Shop on the Corner, and The Ocean Waves, as well as Bloom, their magazine. Clarendon House Publications published her poems in their Poetica 2 and Poetica 3 anthologies and her work was also included in Ink Gladiator's Press anthologies of The Rise and Fall of Chimera's and Gray, We Hide our Colors Within and Uncaging the Phoenix. Indie Blu(e) Publishing published a mental health piece in Through the Looking Glass: Reflecting on Madness and Chaos Within and their newest anthology, But You Don't Look Sick. 300 South Media Group has published her in As Darkness Falls, Shadow of the Soul, and features her first flash fiction piece in Sunset Rain. Train River Poetry has published her in Poetry 7. She also appears in Who's Who of Emerging Writers by Sweetycat Press. In 2022, she was published by Harness Magazine in their November issue and Silent Spark Press' in Amazing Poetry. In 2023, she published three new poetry collections: The Briny Sea of Poetry, Talking to the Moon, and Unrequited. She also published her first anthology, Winter: A Poetic Anthology featuring 25 poets worldwide. In 2024, she is included in The Caryx Collective by Pendraig and Ovation by Jimmy Broccoli. Brandy has also published another collection of poetry, Where Beautiful Loves II, and another anthology, Love Is Pain, and is working diligently to produce several more. Becoming well-known for her abilities in her poetry community, she has started collaborating with other poets to help their voices be heard. Anila Bukhari is the first of whom Brandy hopes to be a burgeoning group of authors to be published under her imprint of Where Beautiful Inks. Brandy can be found online on Instagram and Facebook @wherebeautifullives.

Kelsey Annin was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, where she resides with her amazing family. She has an incredibly supportive husband and two beautiful and extremely active boys. She thanks God every day for her blessings and couldn't have asked for a better family.Kelsey has been writing since grade school and has always found creativity to be therapeutic. She finds writing to be one of the most productive ways to release a range of emotions to help her deal with life and the relationships around her. She has aspirations to publish her own books in the future, including poetry and fiction novels. Kelsey would like to dedicate a special thanks to her mother who has always been there to correct her grammar, encourage Kelsey in her creativity, and push Kelsey to her best ability. She always believed in Kelsey, and it is because of this that she has a deep love for creativity.I escape expressively inside the pen when I need to feel awake again.Exploring who I am, I dig up the voluptuous lion underneath the humble lamb.I am a wrestling warrior with ink stripes on my frenetic face.I'm besoothed by a binding embrace as I swiftly sew the spine with grace.Crying colors caught up in the pages with a nimble imagination untold.I will not be silenced from myself as this sapient story unfolds. Kelsey AnninInstagram: @whimsicalwisdoms_bykels