Fire and Flood – a poem for Afrin and Hasankeyf

Welcome glens of fruit and forest,

paradise that was Afrin

Turkey’s men have scorched the earth – made

desert ‘peace’ where once was green

 

Golden waves of wheat and barley

harvest-ready in the sun

Flame and smoke of vengeful fire – and

Turkey’s ‘cleansing’ work is done

 

Ancient city on the Tigris

living homes of history

Hasankeyf – soon drowned in water

Turkish electricity

 

Kurdish song will ring from under

like Dryweryn’s mythic bell

Winds of change rise through the air – of

Apo’s hope this song will tell!

 

Sarah Glynn