The old city was once alive
People gaily flocked hither and thither
Now there is a smell of death,
in the chill of the air.
Antiquity to ashes turned
The sacred landscape and its horizons,
Now inhabit a sordid state,
My solitude, my refuge
A blot of shame.
Leaders, abandon without care
Treachery in the corridors of power
Rudderless, hurled aside
We survive.
Lives cast to ashes, by whim
Too many, far too many,
We have no count,
Of precious lives lost
To a charade, nay a travesty.
Land and citizens forsaken,
It’s a game of dare,
We are miserable, still we smile
‘In this Land of the Pure’
This slogan is a mockery!
What deviant words.
We are amongst the land of the impure
Tyrants speak in tongues
Faces, masks of deceit, shrewd hypocrisy
Neighbours, brothers, sisters, slaughtered
We weep in silence or shout in despair.
Oppressors are not leaders
Worthy of compliance
We are not slaves, nor born in bondage
Leaders hide not behind arrogance
Nor take pride in being called master,
Leaders are but a guide to their people,
A humble slave.
The one who wears the crown
Has a million obligations to fulfill
To serve and protect its citizens,
Where are our leaders?
Why have we been abandoned?
In times of our needs?
Our country is sinking like a weak Ship,
Deeper and deeper
Into the pits of desolateness,
Where are our defenders?
The blue sirens of the ambulances,
Sing the tune of death
As they rush through dimly lit highways.
Leaders are worthy upholders of justice
The pulpit, should sing out
Love, unity, brotherhood
A tolerance for all.
Bigotry, poison, division are unworthy
Of a religious robe
Is Satan dancing to a gleeful tune?
A deafening silence prevails over my city,
No fog can compare to this sickening silence
Even the howls of the rabid beasts,
Cry out no more.
Every nook and cranny of my fair city,
Lies desolate to man’s inhumanity.
There is hope we will rise again,
The city will sing, its chorus of love
Lights will sparkle,
Dance will lead the walk of death,
To the pits of damnation.
The city of love,
Will love once again.
The writer is a lawyer and social activist. She is an aspiring author who loves poetry and humour. She tweets at @ammara_gul
Published in Daily Times, January 1st 2018.