UINS

By
Zieba Shorish-Shamley

DEDICATED TO DYING AFGHAN CHILDREN
August 14, 2001

Back

Elders tell stories that once in my land
People lived in peace united hand in hand
Various different groups; they lived side by side
They were brothers, sisters; they had nothing to hide

Elders tell stories that once we were free
We had schools and teachers; we learned, we could see
Worked hard for the nation, women as well as men
It was viewed as normal and not a mortal sin!

Elders tell stories that once the land was green
Trees full of blossom, as far as can be seen
Rivers flowed with water, cool and clean as rain
Valleys full of flowers, velvet green the plain(s)

Elders tell stories, that though we were not rich
We were proud and tall, we had our own niche
We worked day and night; we had enough to eat
We were free and bold, could not accept defeat

The elders might be right, they would not tell a lie?
We might have been united, did not fight and die
May be women had rights, children could go play
Rulers may have been just; people could have a say

I am a child of war, a girl of age fourteen
Fighting to survive; torture's what I've seen
War killed mother and father, I am all-alone
Hunger's defeating me; I am skin and bone

We live in the ruins, hundreds tortured souls
No food, clothes or medicine, we face empty bowls
Dirt is all around; we are covered in rugs
Burning with high fever, tortured by the bugs

I go to the door and peek to see outside
My head hurts so bad, stomach churn inside
I gaze all around seeing nothing but ruins
The land dry and thirsty; I see sand and dunes

Rivers dry and empty; trees, shrubs, all dead
Everywhere I look landmine traps are laid
No sound of birds singing; only cries vultures
I hear in each corner painful cries of torture

People young and old; they are all in pain
Children die of hunger; mothers wail insane
Horrific noise of bombs; rockets and the gun(s)
Deafening sound of cannons reaches out to sun

I see all around, hunger, diseases and death
Fallen women and children; taking last breath
Militia yell and shout; they look crazed and wild
Beating young and old; every woman and child

My eyes feel like popping; I must crawl to dark
I must cover my ears; muffle militia's bark
I do not want to see this horrific scene
Afghans all in chains; foreign Militia's reign

I sit in the corner; leaning against the wall
What did the elders say; "we were free and tall?"
"We worked night and day; we had enough to eat?"
"We were proud and bold; could not accept defeat?"

Why can't we all unite? One people and one nation?
Why do we all accept the foreign intervention?
I am very weak; my lips cracked and dry
I am losing all hope; Am I going to die?

I call up on you all! Afghans in the world!
Forget creed and race! Be strong and bold!
Become an iron fist! Become united all!
Attacked the foreign heart! Watch it crumble fall!

We must gain freedom; our dignity and might
Men and women and child; we must join this fight
I am your tomorrow; I must survive and cope
DO NOT LET ME DIE! I AM YOUR LAST HOPE!