Clambering, weak, unsteady breath
Ashen toes on purloined ground
frantic confusion, a distant hum
“can you hear that sound?”
The honking of horns, a mother’s cry
Rushing bodies all around
blood soaked clothes, fragmented bones
“It’s louder now that sound”
Weak last gasp of the days dying light
No time to turn around
Barefoot, debris piercing flesh
“Daddy, I still hear that sound!”
Feet have reached the south now
Promised safety to be found
though smoke still fills the air here
“can you not hear that sound?
It’s too hard to ignore it now
You collapse betrayed aground
displaced, starving bodies scream out
“Why do we still hear that sound!”
This is it, you’ve realised
Now to your Lord you’re bound
you grab your screaming son and say
“Don’t be scared of that sou……”
Clambering, weak, unsteady breath
returning bodies to the ground
an orphaned child, a distant hum
“Why won’t it stop that sound?”
About the author:
I’m Asmahan, revert from UK! Social justice, humanitarianism and my faith is very important to me. I have a very strong sense of justice and care deeply about those struggling and since becoming Muslim, this has aligned deeply in my strive to do good for humanity. My writing has changed a lot since I became Muslim, and I am still trying to find my new voice but I am hoping In’Shaa’Allāh that sharing my pieces, I am able to do so!
Photo by Motaz Azaiza