In the heart of San Francisco, a young voice reverberates with a powerful message: the silent struggle against human trafficking must end. Aaliyah Cosico, an eighth-grade student at the School of the Epiphany, has emerged as a flicker of hope and lights the way through the depths of despair. She has brought awareness in the fight against this insidious crime. Her poem, "Silent Struggle," recently earned her the 2nd prize of $250 in the Writing Contest sponsored by the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking.
Aaliyah's words resonate deeply, piercing through the shadows where innocence is bought and sold. With each carefully crafted verse, she peels back the layers of secrecy that shroud this modern-day slavery, exposing the urgent need for action.
Silent Struggle: Poem by Aaliyah Cosico
"In the clandestine folds where shadows breed,
Invisible, their cries. an urgent need.
A tale untold, a silent plea,
Yet not forgotten, we yearn to set them free.
Beneath the cloak of a heartless trade,
Innocence shrouded, in darkness laid.
Their voices stifled, yet echoes persist,
Invisible threads of pain persist.
In crowded streets and city lights,
They vanish into the endless nights.
Yet not forgotten. our hearts entwined,
With the hope that one day, freedom they'll find.
Invisible chains may bind them tight,
But not forgotten, their fight ignites.
A spark within the collective soul,
To break the silence. to make them whole.
Let empathy unveil the unseen,
For in each shadow, a human being.
Their stories etched, though untold,
Invisible, but not forgotten, as compassion unfolds."
These lines echo the cries of countless individuals trapped in a cycle of exploitation and despair. Through her evocative imagery, Aaliyah brings to light the harsh reality faced by victims of human trafficking, their voices stifled but their pain reverberating through the streets.
Her poem serves as a rallying cry, igniting a fire within the hearts of all who hear it. Sister Rita Jovick of the Sisters of the Presentation San Francisco praises Aaliyah's work, recognizing its power to inspire change. "Aaliyah's words are a call to action," Sister Rita affirms. "They remind us of our duty to stand against the injustice of human trafficking."
Indeed, Aaliyah's poem transcends mere artistry; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for empathy. It challenges us to confront the uncomfortable truth lurking in the shadows of our society and compels us to take a stand.
In presenting Aaliyah's poem alongside this article, the Sisters of the Presentation San Francisco hope to amplify her message and spark meaningful dialogue about the urgent need to combat human trafficking. Click here to view Aaliyah's video reading of her award-winning poem.
As Aaliyah's words echo in the hearts of all who listen, let us heed her call and work tirelessly to create a world where every individual is free from the chains of exploitation and oppression. For in the fight against human trafficking, silence is not an option—we must speak out, we must act, and we must never relent until justice prevails.