Bread and Blood. ©Alisar Iram.
A few days ago, the jets of the Syrian government dropped its bombs on lines of people queuing for bread. Many children had joined the bread line in the belief that their presence might deter hostile actions against the civilians. It is reported that 90 people died and an unknown number injured. I wrote this poem in memory.
There is life
In our holy daily bread
And there is a longing
The longing of flour for water
The dough for fire
The loaf for air
And the mouths for the mouthful.
Our summer-love my friends.
Is this golden loaf, so
Break it tenderly
And eat it contentedly,
For it is made of the soul of the earth
And it is needed with the body of Stria,
This loaf my friends glows with the colour
Of carpets of poppies
And pulsates with the red psalms
Of freedom
This loaf my friends
Glows with the red blood
Of the innocents
Holy Holy Holy
ففي الخبز المقدس حياة وفيه حنين
حنين الحنطة للماء
وحنين العجين للنار
وحنين الرغيف للهواء
وحنين اللقمة للافواه
وحبنا القمحي يا اصدقائي
هو هذا الرغيف الذ هبي
فلنقسمه بدعة
ونتناوله برضى
فمن روح الارض هو مجبول
ومن جسد سوريا هو مجدول
هذا الرغيف يا اصدقائي،
شقائق النعمان تسطع فيه
ودماء الاطفال تهلل فيه
قدوس…. قدوس.. قدوس
©Alisar Iram
alisariram 