Safi Abdi Posted May 24, 2006 It was a long fretful watch Stretching years of secrets divulged Ifs and whys splashed everywhere. Even as I screeched a mark On the mired pages Scarred faces my pen evaded Speechless, An Angel shook its head,upset. History stalled. In the weeping arms of her mother A baby girl rocked herself to slumber. A disheveled kid rushed on the road, A rusty AK-47 his only consort. A door slammed shut, crestfallen, The ruined house of Somalia, Powerless to contain the hurt therein. A widow gave birth And increased a populace wounded. The sea was overwhelmed by the salt it held And took its anger on the wavering seized. Doomsday is an arduous day, A foretaste replayed in the African Horn Even as Angelic discourses went by, unheeded And the moaners dilly-dallied, sidelined. It was a long fretful watch Ifs and whys abounded Unrequited questions weighed down our mother Hellish burdens indiscrete Hovered on shoulders too narrow for the hold. Somewhere in the firmament A higher being flapped bejeweled wings Sun rose yet again to renew her calls But the earth-bound as usual on the prey feasted. Greed-locked they sullied the continent’s spoils. Grow up, Africa! Your desperation’s flowered by your own meanness, Own up! Burnt stars shake off their ashes, Own up, Africa! It was a long ludicrous wait Tongue-tied the pens quivering in the folds, wailed. In this drapery of the world’s most tedious narration Even the accursed devil his face buried. My pen drowned in the sweat of my hesitation Expecting clouds withheld their goods, a scenario replaying my own vacillation. It was time Sun bid adieu And the day’s cares coated with dew. I rest my case by the setting sun And like a disgruntled branch I can only my dissatisfaction share With the reclining ground. Ultimately, A conductor of my spirit alone, The melodies of nature alone in my ears a balm Sight unwavering on the farthest horizon This last Spark being what held my reason. But then again, When there’s none else but Him… Isn’t the cry: Ya Allah! Copyright: 2006 Safi Abdi, All Rights Reserved. Author Homepage Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pacifist Posted May 24, 2006 Wow am quite a fan of your poems and books abaayo. While I was searching for poems by Africans on a website. I stumbled upon this one of your poems and then, that was were I started my journey of knowing your existence, one of our very own Writers and poets. I have also read mighty collision of two worlds. This one is my fav by Safi Abdi (author) Somalia If She Survives (a poem on the predicament of the Somali woman) Poem: If She Survives It's her fate to suffer the foolish The only glue cementing the ruins A dried flower without the care. She feeds the baby And keeps the man on board, too. An expert in ducking bullets Graceful to the core Though offended, Wholesale, The woman In the flowing dress's a veteran, Voiceless in a tragedy absurd. Her plight no hairs ruffle Her hopes neglected remain Overwhelmed by men Sightless in the daylight She hawks her wares In the sunlit mess; Knowing God counts her woes. If she survives this reckless age It's no thanks to the man on board. Welcome to Sol abaayo and its great to have you aboard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
