Sand promises

“Thousands of desperate migrants die in the desert and at sea, or fall victim to murderers and kidnappers, as they make their way along the ‘eastern corridor’ from Ethiopia to Saudi Arabia” - Fred Harter in Obock, Djibouti
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Ethiopia through Djibouti
to Yemen, to hopeful life
runs Sun's angry route

A glum path to escape poverty
impulsive one-way journey
fear strengthens patience

keepers turned exploiters to smugglers
dump or sell or kill their dreams
new brokers fill hopes

shifting sand promises shift their goals
'Selling hair to purchase a comb'
no turning now, walk

starved, extorted, violated, yet
hearsays goad guileless hearts
burying truth, lies march
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

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Hawley Avatar
March 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Your poem could be titled sand nightmares, because how sad all this is. For example, your line at the end of the first stanza of this poem just sounds ominous. From where I live in the US all I can do is pray for those people, pray for mercy and peace for them.
mysore Avatar
March 3, 2025 at 8:26 PM
It is a matter of choosing between devil and deep sea, nothing stops these people to embark on a journey in search of a life, just the dignity of life. they go through so much hardships yet I was surprised to read about their unmoving faith to make it against all odds. I am so very grateful to you for this kind visit dear friend, Yes we can pray for them and also be thankful to Lord for our good fortune of living in dignity. Your mere visit made my day, thank you.
Read Avatar
February 8, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Sadly I cannot see a end to all this madness, those seeking a better life will always be exploited by smugglers.
mysore Avatar
February 8, 2025 at 8:05 PM
'madness' it is as you say dear poet. No one can help. one has to swim this life along such (many) murky waters and reach one's shores. Thank you for your kind visit and time dear poet. Blessings
Maverick Avatar
February 8, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Its all there Thriveni.. And so much courtesy of bush and blair..On the oders of the w e f of course.' Murder and mass migration as Gad daffi reckoned.'
mysore Avatar
February 8, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Thank you for your kind visit dear poet. yes unquestionable orders unanswerable decisions. I appreciate your thoughts dear poet. thank you.
Gasun Avatar
February 7, 2025 at 6:13 AM
I'm deeply moved by this awesome verse my dear poet friend. There's nothing we can do but pray for them. Thanks for sharing this poem and your poetric talent with us my dear. I'll be back soon. God bless you always. Hugs (oh, it happens that the captcha that i'll click is PRY)
mysore Avatar
February 7, 2025 at 7:11 AM
I am ever grateful to you for your kind visit, time and generous words dear friend. Means so much to me. Thank you for the blessings dear poet. Hugs & roses too.
Dietrich Avatar
February 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
what a powerful last line: burying truth, lies march!
mysore Avatar
February 5, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Thank you dear friend for your kind visit. Yes, I am glad I came up with that after four variations, I even thought of replacing buying but then I chose burying. You have an eye for detail. Thank you for noticing. Blessings.
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