Notes About The Poem

Ali is my friend from Iraq. He served under Saddam Hussein and deserted during the war, refused to kill more than he already had.... He crawled over bodies, car wrecks and tanks, across the border, wandered through Syria and Lebanon, and finally arrived here.

He hadn't seen his son since the boy was two years old. People here, as well as I, have helped him reunite with his family. They all live in The Netherlands now. The war is etched in his soul, but he remains that incredibly gentle peaceful man.

Ali

You landed next to me while I was reading
Mahmoud Darwish in Arabic.
You said: "You really read this? Terrific."
I didn't know yet that this was leading

to a friendship right across all borders
to unite two hearts in pain.
How we both smiled, did not complain.
We went for coffee, and you ordered

for me, and then we talked,
you were from Iraq. A soldier in the War on Terror,
deserted. In your eyes the horror
so present after all these years, you walked.

You couldn't kill, you said, your hands were shaking,
so I wrote your letter to your wife and son
who were still there, although the war was done...
you can't go back, that godforsaken

war kills more than people: it kills humanity.
When will your family be here?
You are too far from those so dear,
they suffer from the world's insanity.

***

June 20, 2017
8th place in contest: I like Muslims
Sponsor: Kai Michael Neumann

friendshipwarenclosed rhyme

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Niyomi Shah

Date: 7/17/2017 9:05:00 AM

Beautiful write here Darren. The thought behind it and the words are absolutely spellbounding :)

Dan Cwiak

Date: 7/16/2017 12:10:00 PM

A beautifully worded work, Darren. I am a bit surprised that it did not place higher in the contest. Congratulations !

Eve Roper

Date: 7/15/2017 3:38:00 PM

Congratulations on your win, Darren, love your poem. very well done ... ~*

Darren White
Date: 7/16/2017 3:21:00 AM

Eve, thank you so much :)

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/15/2017 7:56:00 AM

So glad you won, Darren! Congrats!

Darren White
Date: 7/15/2017 8:13:00 AM

Thank you Kim, and I am glad YOU won :)

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 7/15/2017 7:40:00 AM

Darren, once again your poetry is great. Congratulations. A plot within a plot. Let us try not to suffer too much from the world's insanity. Many wishes, Kai

Darren White
Date: 7/15/2017 8:13:00 AM

Kai, thank you sooo much, I am very happy that this poem specifically placed. Was written from my heart!

Winged Warrior

Date: 6/21/2017 10:04:00 PM

War and talks of war are an abomination to a poet...but we must write about it none the less...but this poet took action...you are indeed a poetic piety my friend...god bless...^WW^

Darren White
Date: 6/30/2017 3:15:00 AM

War is a disaster for anyone involved... Thank you.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 6/21/2017 7:50:00 PM

I had to come read this again, the poem was that touching.

Darren White
Date: 6/21/2017 9:58:00 PM

Thanks my friend

Verlecia Fields

Date: 6/21/2017 8:02:00 AM

the poem reminded me of the kindness of strangers - and my fear of the religious - all Religious - and asking why after all this time - will blood always be spilled -

Darren White
Date: 6/21/2017 8:08:00 AM

Religion is often only an excuse. In reality it is about power. In the name of power war destroys people, humanity.

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 6/21/2017 4:25:00 AM

Very nice ... what a horror the Middle East is ... I pray for a day when ALL fingers will be raised in Democracy ... purple and truly FREE, but I fear I will not see it in my lifetime. Wonderfully said, DW!

Darren White
Date: 6/21/2017 8:08:00 AM

It is. And has been for such a long time now. Thanks my friend.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/21/2017 12:38:00 AM

Darren, this is a very moving poem. I love how you approached the theme. I have an idea but it won't be nearly this good! This one was DEEP

Darren White
Date: 6/21/2017 12:50:00 AM

Thank you Andrea :)

Bawa Talwar

Date: 6/20/2017 8:39:00 PM

very nice .poet made friends with someone across borders. Then relates his happenings. good work please review my stuff also I'll love that.

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 11:51:00 PM

I normally review poems of people who visit my poems.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 6/20/2017 8:12:00 PM

Wait wait, did I saw a loss for words? Abu Nuwas just berated me for that! So I have to come up with something good and I just did!!!!! YOU MAKE HUMANITY GREAT AGAIN!!!!!!! :)

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 11:51:00 PM

You at a loss for words? I will aint when that day comes, I just won't believe it. :)

Arthur Vaso

Date: 6/20/2017 8:06:00 PM

Ach Darren, you strike back with the knife of tears, and write such a beautiful poem as this. My turn to be at a loss for words.

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 11:50:00 PM

I am still speechless and sort of in shock after what you did for me. It is a surprise indeed my dear friend :)

Lenna Walker

Date: 6/20/2017 7:02:00 PM

Great write Darren, yes "war kills more than people: it kills humanity" , that line says it all. Best of luck in the contest :)

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 11:49:00 PM

Lenna, thank you. War does exactly that, it is a hateful thing.

Eve Roper

Date: 6/20/2017 11:47:00 AM

Lovely poem, Darren, I wouldn't even know how to get started writing for the contest; you did an amazing job. I love the tribute that Arthur wrote for you, he is amazing..

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 11:52:00 AM

Art made an amazing blog and poem for me, and I am still completely in shock, thank you Eve :)

Chris Green

Date: 6/20/2017 10:15:00 AM

This was wonderful and obviously written straight from the heart which always shines for your friends. Really nice Darren.

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 11:51:00 AM

Thank you my friend, and yes, straight from my heart, and don't look at the rhythm, for this one time i couldn't care less :)

Tim Smith

Date: 6/20/2017 8:28:00 AM

Beautiful and heart touching poem. Kindness breeds kindness.

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 8:32:00 AM

Tim, thank you. I hope it does :)

Joseph May

Date: 6/20/2017 7:59:00 AM

A story of friendship and hope in an uncaring world...

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 8:02:00 AM

Luckily there are more people where I live that have helped him. We live in difficult times, but there are still wonderful people around :)

Maria Williams

Date: 6/20/2017 7:56:00 AM

A warm compassionate write Darren. I hope God showers his blessings and reunites him with family, because what are we without the ones we love?You have poured a lot of passion and compassion into this, and a winner in my eyes. Good Luck...Maria xx

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 8:01:00 AM

He is united with his family Maria, they are living here and have built a new life together :)

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 6/20/2017 7:51:00 AM

A very warm and meaningful piece. I applaud your friends courage and your open heart.

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 8:00:00 AM

Thank you Richard, he deserves it.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 6/20/2017 7:22:00 AM

A gracious tribute to a beautiful soul. I hope he has his family with him now? We all need to reach out to one another with friendship. This wonderful poem moved me and I felt the depth of your love for humanity Darren. Excellent! : )

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 7:35:00 AM

Yes, Connie. They are united and have built a good life here. We still are friends :)

Lin Lane

Date: 6/20/2017 6:33:00 AM

Often we write poetry using fictitious people, places, happenings, and they are wonderful to imagine, but you wrote of a real life scenario that has left a great memory with you. Thanks for sharing a little piece of your life.

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 6:38:00 AM

Thanks Lin, sometimes you meet wonderful people at unexpected moments. I mean, I was only a child during that war, I cannot even remember it. But through his words and eyes it has come more than alive for me.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 6/20/2017 6:29:00 AM

A wonderful tribute to your gentle soul friend and the senselessness of killing. This sounds like a winner to me, Darren!

Darren White
Date: 6/20/2017 6:36:00 AM

Thank you Kim. Winning or not, I thought Ali deserved some attention