I wrote this poem to be as a camera which tapes those events that distinguished the Syrian revolution from the others of the Arab Spring. This poem, therefore, is full of horrifying images that were neither painted nor colored by the imagination. But images of events that took place in reality and colored by the blood of martyrs who paid their lives for freedom and dignity.
Once upon a time in Syria
Photos from the revolution
By Tarif Youssef Agha
Has it ever happened in a revolution?
Where children tamed a tank
The men faced
The bullets with anthems and songs
And the women challenged
A cowardly, but roaring killing machine
Yes. It happened when Syria finally revolted
Against the gang
***
Has it ever happened in a revolution?
Where humans were slaughtered like live stock
Where animals were lined up
In front of the firing squads
Where the mosque minarets were shelled because they stand tall
Where the mosques were besieged in the holy month of fasting
Yes. It happened when Syria finally screamed
“Stop the crimes”
***
Has it ever happened in a revolution?
Where people were cut apart
While the whole world is watching from afar
Listening to the screams as it enjoys a song
Some (countries) objected even the condemnation
As if their heart died and their conscious ran away
Yes. It happened when Syria found
Dignity is worth a revolution
***
Has it ever happened in a revolution?
Where throats were removed by knives
Where the peoples’ flesh and skin
Were exposed to fire, electricity, drills and daggers
Where rapping women and shedding blood were permitted
Where the killer was blessed in public
Yes. It happened when the Syrians decided to
Rise up from the graves
***
Has it ever happened in a revolution?
Where the parents were beaten up for their sons and grandsons
Where an old blind man was thrown in front of the cameras
In order to change his statement and to apologize to the torturer
Where the homeland guards (the army) stepped
On the conscious, morality and people
Yes. It happened when Syria shouted
Enough savagery and enough spite
***
Has it ever happened in a revolution?
Where it was ignited by children
Where the children were accused for rape and terrorism
And by participating in conspiracy and fight
Where the children were made an example to others
By removing their nails in the underground detention centers
Yes. It happened when Syria woke up
From a sleep that lasted for generations
***
Has it ever happened in a revolution?
Where it all started from a school walls
Walls with words saying
“The cups of suppression will never be drank again”
Words that men never dared to say before
But children put in an unforgettable sentence
Yes. It happened when Syria said
To its oppressors that their time is over
***
Has it ever happened in a revolution?
Where people’s bellies were opened while they were alive
Where they were skinned as in a slaughter house
Where their organs were stolen
Where their corpses were taken out after being buried
Where the mourners and consolers were sniped
Yes. It happened when Syria finally know
Who the enemies are
***
Poetry by: Tarif Youssef-Agha
Houston, Texas
Friday, October 28, 2011
http://sites.google.com/site/tarifspoetry