Kabul Airport

Gold cherry

By marandina

Tue, 24 Aug 2021
  • 4197 reads
22 comments
 

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/afghanistan-latest-kabul-a...

 

https://www.fr24news.com/a/2021/08/children-orphaned-as-their-parents-cr...

 

She herds her children through detritus,

an unrepentant Afghan sun beats down,

his shemagh defends him from dust,

a worn salwar kameez his mark of origin.

 

Another impromptu checkpoint - held,

in desperation they barter and plead,

dark eyes stare from beneath a turban,

Kalashnikov holds court, arbiter of life.

 

An exhausting journey end nears,

chemical trails of planes overhead,

a notion of freedom fleetingly tortures

victims with an elusive mirage of asylum.

 

Masses throng and block the gates,

air extinguished by a searing heat,

a supplicant sways, staggers and falls,

her prayer lost in a no man’s land of despair.

 

A soldier speaking English - concerned,

checks – navigates to the sanctity of roadside.

He understands, empathises and laments,

one more crushed dream in a faraway land.

 

One of many.

 

Image free to use at WikiCommons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamid_Karzai_International_Airport#/media/...

 

Certificate 18
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Drama

Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul,

I can't bear to watch all this pain and suffering, so tend to stay clear of reading about it or watching the news. I know it sounds as if I don't care, but really I get so upset at the situation. I can tell you care greatly from your poem and that's part of who you are. I'm still trying to make sense of it all, but nothing comes to mind, it's all so very sad.

A sensitive poem you should be proud of.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Jenny. Lots of people feel the same way. Many of us haven't seen scenes like the ones coming out of Afghanistan either for many years or ever. When I read the story, I just wanted to write about it. It's so tragic and moving. Hopefully the international community will rally round and, in time, the Afhgan nation will find peace and stability again. We can only hope. I know this is a difficult read so thanks for doing that. Paul

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

There seems so much hatred egging-on to hatred. You mention the 'prayer lost' but one thing we can't know is how many, truly praying to the good God receive help in whatever place they are in, whether in miracle rescues, or help in dying or cruelty, or in finding dangerous men inexplainably not noticing those they are seeking out. Reminsicent of tales heard from Nazi days or cold-war heights. And we can pray on, and for the solidiers honestly trying to help in heart-rending situations. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Hi Rhiannon. Thanks for reading. It's a figurative "prayer lost" borne out by the true life story of what happened in this case as per the link. I have no doubt that there will be many who will be relying on their faith more than ever at the moment. Thanks again. Paul

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I think you have to subscribe to read the link? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by marandina on

No subscription needed to read the story on the link. I just tested it again.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Such a tragic, moving story. i clicked on the link and you do have to register to read more than the first paragraph 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, insert. Strange as I can read the entire story without registering. Best laid plans and all that. Yes..the story is genuinely heartbreaking and just one of very many at the moment.sadly..

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the cherries, ABC Eds. Genuinely appreciated. Paul :)

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

Great poem, showing the desperation, disappointment, and tragedy of those queueing or jostling outside the airport at Kabul. These are scenes that should not be happening, one way or another, a modern horror story. What went wrong? What could have been done differently? What should be done? The story is a big one and it has not yet been told or understood properly. It is also an unfinished story at this moment!

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, David. Extraordinary times. We can only Hope it all ends in a sensible fashion. Thanks again. Paul

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Well done tackling this subject. I hope people remember how they feel about Afghanistan now, when those able to escape need somewhere to live. There must be lots of asylum seekers here and in other countries, already, wishing they were accepted

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Di. The issue of asylum does follow. I see Airbnb have promised 20,000 temporary homes. Paul

 

Submitted by marandina on

For anyone wanting to read the article the poem is based on, I have included a new link in the poem so hopefully no issues re registration etc. It's the one below from FR24 News

https://www.fr24news.com/a/2021/08/children-orphaned-as-their-parents-cr...

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

I read Kim Sengupta's article in the paper, and pathos and horror of it is almost unimaginable. It is both the most complex of situations, and the most simple.  Thank you for putting so much into words. 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Jane. I just thought that this heart-rending story summed up what was happening over there. Let's face it - a humanitarian catastrophe that could have been avoided with a lot more thought and planning given to any withdrawal of troops. Paul

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

This is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day. Please do share/retweet if you found it as moving as I did.

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you, so much. Just hoping sense prevails and those affected find their own peace and stability wherever that may be. Paul

 

Submitted by celticman on

we've been here before. I have no answers, only questions. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading it, CM. I know what you mean. Paul

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Paul

Beautifully done and such a sad reflection on our world. 

Jean Day

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thanks for reading, Jean. Yes, the whole Kabul Airport thing gets worse now that we have bombings as well. Let's hope everyone gets out while they can and peace and stability returns to the region in time. Paul