Paghunda Zahid Poet Rhyme

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

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Jennifer Proxenos January 28, 2026 at 1:31 AM Your work pierces my heart for we are all guilty of watching and listening but not doing. I am appalled at the indifference other countries show towards this humanitarian disaster - please God guide them to do something constructive for these people suffering inhumanly daily lots of love Jenny

Ann Peck January 10, 2026 at 11:37 AM This is a great poem about Gaza and all wars! One of the best I've read. I'm faving!

Precioso Tano January 8, 2026 at 4:51 AM Very powerful and truly a tear inducing one!

Jennifer Proxenos December 3, 2025 at 10:11 AM I HEAR YOUR WORDS ETCHED IN BlOOD, PAIN AD UTTER SADNESS AND I CRY WITH YOU. i cannot see the news for i cannot gaze on Gaza any more, No country on earth has experienced their suffering. Hope you are keeping well my lovely friend. HUgS AND LOVE GALORE Jennifer.

Susan Ashley August 30, 2025 at 9:14 AM Dear Paghunda, my soulful poet friend, your golden pen bleeds potent poetry upon the aching page. I'm deeply moved by your verse. The inhumanity runs deep on Gazan streets. The poor and innocent (especially the children), caught between warring leaders suffer and die horribly, as always in war. When will humans act with humanity.. when will we stop finding ways to hate and annihilate each other? Congratulations for your success in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Mark Toney August 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM Paghunda, your poem is powerful and heartrending as is the situation portrayed that is unfolding before our eyes. I firmly believe God’s kingdom is the only solution to the problems plaguing mankind and that He will take action soon. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 10 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 11 has already started. You can find your overall standing in my Mile 10 blog post.

Anne-Lise Andresen August 5, 2025 at 12:29 PM - Who can in good conscience be indifferent to these atrocities... "killing" the future of the Palestinian nation? - An important picture of the truth, Paghunda - hugs

Anisha Dutta August 3, 2025 at 10:12 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 August 4, 2025 at 7:10 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 August 3, 2025 at 6:04 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 August 4, 2025 at 6:38 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 August 3, 2025 at 12:26 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 August 4, 2025 at 6:33 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 August 3, 2025 at 6:22 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 August 3, 2025 at 9:13 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 August 3, 2025 at 5:38 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 August 3, 2025 at 9:25 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 August 3, 2025 at 4:33 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 August 3, 2025 at 9:37 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 August 3, 2025 at 4:30 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 August 3, 2025 at 9:30 AM Indeed! May peace prevail. Ameen. Thank you for the kind remarks Mike. Means a lot

James Marshall Goff August 3, 2025 at 2:53 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 August 3, 2025 at 4:00 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..!!

James Peranteau August 2, 2025 at 8:54 PM peace and prosperity dear poet ') Paghunda Zahid August 2, 2025 at 9:36 PM It is hard to witness such pain and still believe in humanity. But let's hope for the best.

Evelyn Judy Buehler August 2, 2025 at 5:21 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 August 2, 2025 at 9:33 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 August 2, 2025 at 4:21 PM Very powerful, sad, and well-written. Paghunda Zahid August 2, 2025 at 9:28 PM Thank you David. I truly appreciate that

Paige Hind August 2, 2025 at 2:18 PM This is so sad. I am wishing them relief, too - and it's good of you to write this. Paghunda Zahid August 2, 2025 at 9:28 PM Thank you so much Paige

Sotto Poet August 2, 2025 at 1:25 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 August 2, 2025 at 9:27 PM Ameen

Sara Kendrick August 2, 2025 at 12:26 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 August 4, 2025 at 3:33 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 August 2, 2025 at 12:33 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?