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WHERE THE SUN FORGOT TO RISE

There lies a land behind the smoke, Where silence screams and hearts are broke Where lullabies drown in bombs and drones And cradles turn to shattered stones Babies cry with lips so dry No blood, no milk, no tear left to cry No schoolbell rings, no hospital stands, Just bones and ruins buried in the sand They queue for crumbs and bleed for rice A bottle of water, the price of life Each has lost __ be it a child or spouse a parent, a sibling or a shattered house Then phosphorus rains on wrecked-out souls To burn their skin to elevate their pains And we the modern civilized race Watch stage 5 famine take its place What further war-crimes must I define Palestine bleeds while the world stays blind

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Anisha Dutta

Date: 8/3/2025 10:12:00 PM

War starts with cruelty and ends on sufferings. It’s most shameful approach humiliating humanity and progress of Civilisation. Your Pen is powerful. But where is the end of ruthless happenstance ! Blessings to you.

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/4/2025 7:10:00 AM

So true Anisha. In earlier times, wars were fought on the battlefield. That too was tragic, but at least innocent kids, women and elders would be safe. Ah I wish humanity will evolve, no one will kill or destroy someone's life.

Duke Beaufort

Date: 8/3/2025 6:04:00 PM

Paghunda, my own preference, if I had to mount an advertising campaign, would be to picture starving occupants of a German concentration camp juxtaposed with pictures of starving people in Gaza. The irony of the situation is hard to stomach. You write very well and from the heart. We could intervene as a country or with the UN, but that might require some backbone. It's a sad world. Hope you are well.

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/4/2025 6:38:00 AM

The comparison is haunting, but sadly, very true. The irony is unbearable, and so is the silence of some 8 billion people. But let's hope for the best. Thank you so much for your appreciation, that means a lot. I am well. I hope you are doing great too. Blessings

Krishnanand Guptar

Date: 8/3/2025 12:26:00 PM

While my heart pines at reading the verses you have carved on the stark misery of the war wounded souls, I cannot but admire the excellence of the pen with which you have framed the poem- poetic and moving. You may wish to read two poems I have recently posted on PS on related subjects : "The World is Bleeding" and " Deafening Silence". Indeed, wars do not create winners , but only losers. Wishing you "Bon courage".

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/4/2025 6:33:00 AM

Thanks Krishnanand for your kind remarks. I highly appreciate that. May your voice continue to echo for justice, peace and compassion. Blessings!

Valsa George

Date: 8/3/2025 6:22:00 AM

War is a curse on humanity. In a war, there are ultimately no winners, but only losers. For power and vested interests, wars are waged in different parts of the world. But they always leave a trail of misery behind. The innocent people become the victims. Your empathy and compassion are palpable in every line. Let us hope that countries will embrace the path of peace. A very touching piece of writing, dear Paghunda. So happy to see you after a long absence, dear friend.

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/3/2025 9:13:00 AM

Aww that's sweet Valsa, it made me happy that you noticed my absence. It's always a pleasure to be around people like you. Thank you for the kind remarks, you are absolutely right, it's always the innocent ones that become victims. May peace prevail. Stay blessed

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 8/3/2025 5:38:00 AM

Powerful lines, true empathy for the innocent souls who are suffering…Dear Poetess, your poem, even the title is very strong, it brought tears to my eyes. Keep writing such great poems…society needs writers and poets like you.

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/3/2025 9:25:00 AM

Dear Malabika, if this poem moved you, I guess it has served its purpose. You must be a person with a very kind heart. And thank you so much for the encouragement, it means a lot. I wasn't sure how the soup community would react to this poem, but you all have surprised me. Writers like you really keep people like me going. Im truly humbled, and I highly appreciate it. May we all be the voices of the oppressed souls. Peace and blessings!

Charles Messina

Date: 8/3/2025 4:33:00 AM

It's a horrible situation for anyone to be in let alone children. I never have and never will believe in any kind of war. If there is a God, and I believe there is...perhaps he has a plan for all the evil doers who ever were responsible for these unexpectable crimes. Prayers sent to all the innocents. Well-written Paghunda. Thanks for your visit as well...Charlie

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/3/2025 9:37:00 AM

It scares me a lot Charlie. Will the Almighty ever forgive us for what we have allowed to happen? My this is a test, I am afraid we have already failed it. Thank you for your prayers and these kind remarks. Peace and blessings

Mike Gentile

Date: 8/3/2025 4:30:00 AM

Such powerful lines! In our own comfort, it's so easy to forget the pain and suffering of others. Your skill in creating such intense imagery is incredible!

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/3/2025 9:30:00 AM

Indeed! May peace prevail. Ameen. Thank you for the kind remarks Mike. Means a lot

James Marshall Goff

Date: 8/3/2025 2:53:00 AM

Tho Palestinians cheered by the thousands when Shani Louk's headless, abused and battered body was paraded through the Gazan Streets along with countless others, children aren't to blame & bear the brunt of evil Hamas leadership, Israel has gone beyond vengeance & needs to stop & Hamas needs to release the hostages

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/3/2025 4:00:00 AM

Israel should make a deal with Hamas if they have any hostages. But reducing entire cities to rubble, massacring thousands, inflicting Holocaust on innocents are but savage, criminal and barbaric acts. What we have seen is unseeable thanks to the cellphones one can't fool others these days. I am not a politician or something, but as far as I know Israel was created in 1948. Later because an apartheid. I heard many respectable Jews saying Israel should leave the occupied land and free Palestine. God knows and we do not! Blessings..!!

Jacqueline Elston

Date: 8/3/2025 1:25:00 AM

a very heartfelt and powerful write. You have a gift in poetry, l must read more of your work. J

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/3/2025 1:36:00 AM

You are very much welcome Elston. Thank you for the love. Means a lot

James Peranteau

Date: 8/2/2025 8:54:00 PM

peace and prosperity dear poet ')

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/2/2025 9:36:00 PM

It is hard to witness such pain and still believe in humanity. But let's hope for the best.

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 8/2/2025 5:21:00 PM

The suffering of people who live daily with the effects of war, is heartbreaking. I hope and pray that relief comes soon. Well written and gripping.

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/2/2025 9:33:00 PM

It's devastating Evelyn. I wonder how will the God forgive us af after all this. How angry he must be. We are supposed to be the beings with symapthy, love, justice. But we are barbaric, cruel, killers. Sad!

David Crandall

Date: 8/2/2025 4:21:00 PM

Very powerful, sad, and well-written.

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/2/2025 9:28:00 PM

Thank you David. I truly appreciate that

Paige Hind

Date: 8/2/2025 2:18:00 PM

This is so sad. I am wishing them relief, too - and it's good of you to write this.

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/2/2025 9:28:00 PM

Thank you so much Paige

Sotto Poet

Date: 8/2/2025 1:25:00 PM

Those who aren't fighting but are fighting for their lives are in my thoughts. Quick delivery of food is my wish. Your sharing is greatly appreciated.

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/2/2025 9:27:00 PM

Ameen

Sara Kendrick

Date: 8/2/2025 12:26:00 PM

What I see on the news seems to be horrible for the people who are living in Gaza. I feel for the people who are not involved in the war only trying to survive. I hope that food gets to them soon. Thanks for sharing this one with us. It is very well composed and on point for the situation. Sara K

Sara Kendrick
Date: 8/4/2025 3:33:00 AM

Yes, it breaks my heart as well. There needs to be an end not just a ceasefire. I hope they can work out some kind of agreement that will be satisfactory. I understand that unless all of Hamas is destroyed, they will just grow and come back, however, I don't think it is possible to destroy them all. Sara K

Paghunda Zahid
Date: 8/2/2025 12:33:00 PM

It's heart-wrenching. Those infants, those kids, those helpless mothers and fathers... Ah their pain.. It's unimaginable. Living under the open sky, homes destroyed, no medicine or hospital etc. Everyone is suffering! I don't know how people are OK after watching all this situation... Where is their hearts. Are we all animals?