I am currently reading The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, and in Gilead (the US), women are not allowed to read or write. I don't want to imagine what would happen if I were forbidden to read and write.

The protagonist has a pillow in her room that has a faded word, "Faith," on it. She spends hours reading and rereading the word. I would do the same thing.

For me, reading and writing are essential parts of life. They allow me to learn, to be creative, to gain knowledge. I have something to do when I'm bored, such as read a book or work on my poems or stories. I would go insane if I were forbidden to read and write.


I've decided to write a poem every day of July. I need to get more practice in writing poetry. Let's see how well that goes.