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| Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the University of Louisville |
On September 24, 2012, I experienced my greatest moment as a McConnell Scholar – and one of the greatest moments of my life. I met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It was a tremendous experience. She is perhaps the most profound democratic leader of our time. With her elegance, her passion, and her love, she is an amazing inspiration to everyone in the world who desires peace and equality.
Her speech motivated me to write a simple sonnet about her magnificence. She means so much to Burma, and to the world. She has touched the hearts of so many people. I hope my words can one day be as graceful as hers. For now, this is what I have to say:
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Today I met Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi
So beautiful, so
lovely, so filled with glee
Her ultimate weapon –
fighting through peace
She is much more than
a symbol, and she has so much to teach.
Democracy through
nonviolence is her plea
She knows civil
disobedience is the key.
With flowers in her
hair, she fought against the guns
And without using
bloodshed, she beat them and won.
She is revered by all
the people in her great nation
Whether they oppose
the violence or incite annihilation.
Through patience and
determination, she overcame darkness
Like a horse running
free, she has thrown off her harness.
She wants a bright
future, but sees there is no hope without endeavor
Everyone she meets
remembers her forever.
Abeer Sikder is a junior McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville. He is studying economics and political science.