Expulsion

A black cloud rains selectively on the dispossessed, a wretched lot. My billowing abaya now clings to me, revealing my form. Their glances lacerate. The road stretches to the horizon, but has swallowed my expectations. Palestine, 1948 First published in Blue Minaret

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Hiba Junaid

Date: 3/19/2025 12:35:00 PM

For anyone wondering, this poem is referencing The Nakba, where thousands of Palestinians were displaced from their homeland. When I read this with today's war in mind, my heart just breaks. The silent grief, fear, and defeatedness emphasised by the last stanza reaches my soul. The entire writ, in fact, has been penned down in such a unique, raw, and genuine way that cuts through words and hits home. You are an excellent poet.

Alan Ireland
Date: 3/20/2025 3:05:00 PM

Thank you. Whenever one thinks the situation in Palestine couldn't get worse, the country is plunged into even greater depravity and madness.

Ricky Muse

Date: 11/12/2017 11:13:00 AM

That final verse is what poetry is all about.

Patricia Cresswell

Date: 8/6/2017 7:59:00 PM

You have captured the life of the dispossed well in your poem. Please what is an abaya? Did you write this piece in Palestine?

Patricia Cresswell
Date: 8/7/2017 7:31:00 PM

Thank you for answering my query.

Alan Ireland
Date: 8/7/2017 3:19:00 AM

This poem, which is written from a woman's perspective, is a work of the imagination. An abaya is a typical outer garment, derisively called a "black shroud" in the West. In Iran, it's called the chador. In Afghanistan, it's called the burka. But abaya, chador and burka are not exactly the same.

Alan Ireland

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

This poem was first published at Blue Minaret.