The body of the drowned Syrian toddler, Aylan, was found on a Turkish beach, along with the bodies of his mom and elder brother. They died while trying to escape illegally to Europe by sea and the dad was the only survivor.
Oh you in the Sad Photo
By Tarif Youssef Agha
Oh you in the sad photo, don’t expect anger from
A world that doesn’t deserve but wood, gas and fire
As this world still, eve n to today, protects
The one who slaughtered his people and stripped his country
And you, my son, wouldn’t die that way if
You were one of those who had gold
That world who gave you the choice between the fangs of snakes
And the tummies of whales, is the world which is crying on you today
It will shed alligators’ tears on you
But inside it, it is dancing happily and delightfully for your passing away
Oh people of Syria, don’t believe those who claim that they are your brothers,
As they have already failed the brotherhood test
And don’t believe those who claim that they are your friends
As they are the ones who refused to arm your rebels
They offered you the sea as a mattress, and the wave as a pillow
And applauded every time death claimed some of your sons
They turned trucks into graves for you and
They withhold you on the borders as if you were infected
Oh you who are sleeping peacefully in the photo, your little shoes should
Crown the heads of the world rulers, both Arabs and none Arabs
And don’t feel sad because your Arab nation couldn’t save you
Since that nation lost its honor as it lost its glorious name
And finally, oh my son who is sleeping on the beach
Don’t blame any one, as this world doesn’t know what guilt is
***
A Poem translation
(Can be shared without permission)
By Tarif Youssef-Agha
An Expatriate Arab Syrian Writer & Poet
Member of the ‘Syrian Revolutionary Writers Assembly’
Friday September 4, 2015, Houston, Texas
http://sites.google.com/site/tarifspoetry