Exiles

                                           For

                                           Basim Furat

                                           Emad Jabbar

                             and Yilma Tafere Tasew





We crossed the desert, leaving our hearts behind;
travelled through explosions of days and nights
to step onto the cold, wild shore of a new life.

We crossed the desert, blinding our memories,
pouring handfuls of sand to burn the sockets;
to fill the hole where a heart should beat.

On this cold, wild shore, a new life.

We sleep by the ocean, and listen
for voices from the past in the waves.

We sleep by the ocean, and wait 
for salt surf to wash over the wounds.

We sleep by the ocean, and let 
seagulls tear at the healing scars.

We sleep by the ocean, and dream
of the warmth of sweat and blood.